Ruth 1

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WEEK 5                                                     Ruth 1

FRIDAY  Reflections

Things were difficult so Elimelech left the promised land. He left the place God gave him and his family. What could possibly go wrong? Everything! I can't know for sure what this man was thinking but it seems he made a bad choice. His sons made bad choices in marrying outside of the covenant people of Israel. God wasn't powerless, even in their bad choices God reached out and touched one woman, Ruth.

Ruth isn't a proof text to prove marrying unbelievers is a good idea. It is proof that God can touch lives even when we do not live our life to be the best example. Ruth is proof that God reaches out and has always reached out to that outside, to the whole world. The story begins with everything going wrong, except for the decision to return to the promised land. The decision to return home. 

Rth 1:1-22
(1)  Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
(2)  And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
(3)  And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
(4)  And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
(5)  And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
(6)  Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
(7)  Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
(8)  And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
(9)  The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
(10)  And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
(11)  And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
(12)  Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
(13)  Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
(14)  And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
(15)  And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
(16)  And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
(17)  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
(18)  When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
(19)  So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
(20)  And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
(21)  I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
(22)  So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

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1 Corinthians 12

WEEK  5                                        1 Corinthians 12

THURSDAY  Reflections

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant" (12:1).  I have to wonder how much ignorance, division, and strife have taken place in Corinth because this chapter is huge.

 

Considering what Paul taught about the weaker brother, though some may interpret this passage differently, if they are looking to serve God, we need to err on the side of grace when we judge their actions. Those that practice these gifts (as they see them) aren't trying to serve the Devil. Those who believe the times for the gifts have passed aren't denying God's power or the Scriptures. Do people who interpret these in some ways abuse them (the proven false healer who ties healings to money for example)? Yes, but this does not mean everyone who sees them differently than you are bad.

 

We are one body. We are not the same. Also, God can use people to do his work, who aren't as mature, as educated, or who interpret things differently. The disciples originally misunderstood Jesus’ purpose, yet Jesus sent them out to teach before his crucifixion.

 

Does this mean we shouldn't worry about teaching the truth? No, we should, but maybe we shouldn't make our brothers into our enemies. We may not feel right about letting them teach in our churches or have leadership, but we can love them in Christ and send them where they can fit.

1Co 12:1-31

(1)  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

(2)  Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

(3)  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

(4)  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

(5)  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

(6)  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

(7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

(8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

(9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

(10)  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

(11)  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

(12)  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

(13)  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

(14)  For the body is not one member, but many.

(15)  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

(16)  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

(17)  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

(18)  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

(19)  And if they were all one member, where were the body?

(20)  But now are they many members, yet but one body.

(21)  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

(22)  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

(23)  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

(24)  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

(25)  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

(26)  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

(27)  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

(28)  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

(29)  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

(30)  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

(31)  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

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Psalm 74

WEEK   5                                      Psalm 74 

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

It is often not the pain which causes people to give up, but not knowing how long it will last. This is why the psalmist laments in verse nine there is none that knows how long they will continue to suffer. In the midst of this despair, the Psalmist remembers what God has done in the past and who God is. This to me contains wisdom on how to handle the long night of the soul or as some call it the hour of the wolf. When the night seems long look up to God and remember who He is and what He has done. 

Psa 74:1-23
(1)  Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
(2)  Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
(3)  Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
(4)  Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
(5)  A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
(6)  But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
(7)  They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
(8)  They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
(9)  We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
(10)  O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
(11)  Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
(12)  For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
(13)  Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
(14)  Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
(15)  Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
(16)  The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
(17)  Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
(18)  Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
(19)  O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
(20)  Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
(21)  O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
(22)  Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
(23)  Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

Judges 14

WEEK  5                                                 Judges 14

TUESDAY  Reflections

The Nazarite had three main commands: stay away from anything associated with grapes, don't touch anything dead, and not cut their hair. Samson would have been taught these commands. Yet here at the very beginning of his life, he chooses a wife who doesn't serve God. When going to see her he walks through a vineyard. Command one has been disobeyed and God faithfully protects Samson.

 

Samson never asks himself why the lion attacked. Personally, I wonder if it was a warning from God, or perhaps Sampson put himself outside of God's protection and Satan attacked. Either way, Samson doesn't change his path.

 

Samson then returns through the vineyard. On seeing the dead lion with bees in it, not only touches the dead lion but eats the honey in it. Further, he gives unclean food to his parents. Now he has disobeyed two of the three commands, yet God has not left him helpless. God is faithful, even when Samson is doing wrong. This demonstrates God’s patience with Israel and with Christians.

 

Yes, things eventually change. However, we see God is far more patient than many imagine.

Jdg 14:1-20
(1)  And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
(2)  And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
(3)  Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
(4)  But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
(5)  Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.
(6)  And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
(7)  And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.
(8)  And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.
(9)  And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
(10)  So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
(11)  And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.
(12)  And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:
(13)  But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.
(14)  And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
(15)  And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?
(16)  And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?
(17)  And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
(18)  And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
(19)  And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.
(20)  But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.

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Judges 13

WEEK  5                                              Judges 13

MONDAY  Reflections

This story begins with a couple who had in that day the greatest problem, no children. I notice here that unlike others in the Bible, Manoah didn't find another wife so he could have children. As far as the story goes, Manoah was faithful to his wife. He also was a man who prayed and listened to God. This was, from what we see, a very good family. The perfect family in which a special child could be brought up in. A family in which God was willing to come and visit as the Angel of the Lord (Jesus before the incarnation). What could go wrong with a child growing up in such a home? A child in this home would have to grow up to be the perfect Jewish boy. Of course, if you know the story of their child, you know better. 

 

There are many parents who wonder what went wrong with their children. They blame God for failing them. Yet, they deny their own sin and shortcomings but expected their children to be perfect because they attended church a few times. However, there are some parents who have done nearly everything they could correctly and their children still make bad choices. It's not a new story found here in Judges. The child in this story was Samson.  

Jdg 13:1-25
(1)  And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.
(2)  And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.
(3)  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.
(4)  Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:
(5)  For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
(6)  Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:
(7)  But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.
(8)  Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.
(9)  And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.
(10)  And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.
(11)  And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.
(12)  And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?
(13)  And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.
(14)  She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.
(15)  And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.
(16)  And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.
(17)  And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?
(18)  And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?
(19)  So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.
(20)  For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.
(21)  But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.
(22)  And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.
(23)  But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.
(24)  And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
(25)  And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Jeremiah 14

Ouch, that hurts.

WEEK  4                                               Jeremiah 14

SATURDAY  Reflections

What is Good?

Our idea of good is something that pleases us in some way. The problem is that what is good for us isn't often what we need. God, in this chapter, tells Jeremiah not to pray for good for his people. This doesn't mean that God isn't planning to bring about eventual good through their suffering, but what God has planned for this rebellious people is not going to be good by any definition Jeremiah or the people would accept.

The people are asking God to remember His covenant, but they haven't really repented for their breaking of it. God is going to keep the covenant, but what has been forgotten is that the covenant has more than blessings; it has curses for disobeying it. The people are asking God to remember His covenant and take away the trouble, but the troubles are a direct result of the covenant they are claiming.

Jer 14:1-22
(1)  The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
(2)  Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
(3)  And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
(4)  Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
(5)  Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.
(6)  And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.
(7)  O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
(8)  O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
(9)  Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
(10)  Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.
(11)  Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
(12)  When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
(13)  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
(14)  Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
(15)  Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
(16)  And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
(17)  Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
(18)  If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
(19)  Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!
(20)  We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.
(21)  Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
(22)  Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

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Judges 12

WEEK  4                                                Judges 12

FRIDAY  Reflections

Ending poorly, it does seem that several of the stories in Judges end badly. What happened to Jephthah is not an exception. In the previous chapter we hear about him sacrificing his daughter and here in chapter 12, we find a battle that is absolutely unnecessary.

The battle against Ammon has been won. Now the Ephraimites, who didn’t bother helping before or coming to the battle, are threatening Jephthah for not allowing them to help win the fight. A victory has been won and now pride steps in (maybe they are trying to cover their shame, it's impossible to know). What is Ephraim’s response, “You won the battle, so we are going to kill you.” Others may understand this but for myself, it seems they should be celebrating. However, that is not the case, they are asking for a fight.

Jephthah is right to be offended that the people who didn’t help are now angry. Yet his final response isn’t much better. Jephthah prepares for the fight the Ephraimites want and defeats them in battle, but he doesn’t just end it there. Jephthah and his men continue to chase down their fellow Israelites and slaughter them. These actions are no better than the nations around them. God is supposed to be followed yet they are still living like the heathens around them. Again, I remind you these are not written as examples to follow but a record of the true history of Israel. A history of people when they don’t do things God’s way.

Jdg 12:1-15

(1)  And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.

(2)  And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.

(3)  And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?

(4)  Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.

(5)  And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;

(6)  Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.

(7)  And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

(8)  And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

(9)  And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.

(10)  Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.

(11)  And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.

(12)  And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.

(13)  And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.

(14)  And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

(15)  And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.

Photo by Raúl Nájera on Unsplash