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the antiquities of the jews-1-第64章

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lighted lamps in their hands; that their onset might not be
discovered by their enemies。 They had also each of them a ram's
horn in his right hand; which he used instead of a trumpet。 The
enemy's camp took up a large space of ground; for it happened
that they had a great many camels; and as they were divided into
different nations; so they were all contained in one circle。 Now
when the Hebrews did as they were ordered beforehand; upon their
approach to their enemies; and; on the signal given; sounded with
their rams' horns; and brake their pitchers; and set upon their
enemies with their lamps; and a great shout; and cried; 〃Victory
to Gideon; by God's assistance;〃 a disorder and a fright seized
upon the other men while they were half asleep; for it was
night…time; as God would have it; so that a few of them were
slain by their enemies; but the greatest part by their own
soldiers; on account of the diversity of their language; and when
they were once put into disorder; they killed all that they met
with; as thinking them to be enemies also。 Thus there was a great
slaughter made。 And as the report of Gideon's victory came to the
Israelites; they took their weapons and pursued their enemies;
and overtook them in a certain valley encompassed with torrents;
a place which these could not get over; so they encompassed them;
and slew them all; with their kings; Oreb and Zeeb。 But the
remaining captains led those soldiers that were left; which were
about eighteen thousand; and pitched their camp a great way off
the Israelites。 However; Gideon did not grudge his pains; but
pursued them with all his army; and joining battle with them; cut
off the whole enemies' army; and took the other leaders; Zeba and
Zalmuna; and made them captives。 Now there were slain in this
battle of the Midianites; and of their auxiliaries the Arabians;
about a hundred and twenty thousand; and the Hebrews took a great
prey; gold; and silver; and garments; and camels; and asses。 And
when Gideon was come to his own country of Ophrah; he slew the
kings of the Midianites。

6。 However; the tribe of Ephraim was so displeased at the good
success of Gideon; that they resolved to make war against him;
accusing him because he did not tell them of his expedition
against their enemies。 But Gideon; as a man of temper; and that
excelled in every virtue; pleaded; that it was not the result of
his own authority or reasoning; that made him attack the enemy
without them; but that it was the command of God; and still the
victory belonged to them as well as those in the army。 And by
this method of cooling their passions; he brought more advantage
to the Hebrews; than by the success he had against these enemies;
for he thereby delivered them from a sedition which was arising
among them; yet did this tribe afterwards suffer the punishment
of this their injurious treatment of Gideon; of which we will
give an account in due time。

7。 Hereupon Gideon would have laid down the government; but was
over…persuaded to take it; which he enjoyed forty years; and
distributed justice to them; as the people came to him in their
differences; and what he determined was esteemed valid by all。
And when he died; he was buried in his own country of Ophrah。

CHAPTER 8。

That The Judges Who Succeeded Gideon Made War With The Adjoining
Nations For A Long Time。

1。 Now Gideon had seventy sons that were legitimate; for he had
many wives; but he had also one that was spurious; by his
concubine Drumah; whose name was Abimelech; who; after his
father's death; retired to Shecbem to his mother's relations; for
they were of that place: and when he had got money of such of
them as were eminent for many instances of injustice; he came
with them to his father's house; and slew all his brethren;
except Jotham; for he had the good fortune to escape and be
preserved; but Abimelech made the government tyrannical; and
constituted himself a lord; to do what he pleased; instead of
obeying the laws; and he acted most rigidly against those that
were the patrons of justice。

2。 Now when; on a certain time; there was a public festival at
Shechem; and all the multitude was there gathered together;
Jotham his brother; whose escape we before related; went up to
Mount Gerizzim; which hangs over the city Shechem; and cried out
so as to be heard by the multitude; who were attentive to him。 He
desired they would consider what he was going to say to them: so
when silence was made; he said; That when the trees had a human
voice; and there was an assembly of them gathered together; they
desired that the fig…tree would rule over them; but when that
tree refused so to do; because it was contented to enjoy that
honor which belonged peculiarly to the fruit it bare; and not
that which should be derived to it from abroad; the trees did not
leave off their intentions to have a ruler; so they thought
proper to make the offer of that honor to the vine; but when the
vine was chosen; it made use of the same words which the fig…tree
had used before; and excused itself from accepting the
government: and when the olive…tree had done the same; the brier;
whom the trees had desired to take the kingdom; (it is a sort of
wood good for firing;) it promised to take the government; and to
be zealous in the exercise of it; but that then they must sit
down under its shadow; and if they should plot against it to
destroy it; the principle of fire that was in it should destroy
them。 He told them; that what he had said was no laughing matter;
for that when they had experienced many blessings from Gideon;
they overlooked Abimelech; when he overruled all; and had joined
with him in slaying his brethren; and that he was no better than
a fire himself。 So when he had said this; he went away; and lived
privately in the mountains for three years; out of fear of
Abimelech。

3。 A little while after this festival; the Shechemites; who had
now repented themselves of having slain the sons of Gideon; drove
Abimelech away; both from their city and their tribe; whereupon
he contrived how he might distress their city。 Now at the season
of vintage; the people were afraid to go out and gather their
fruits; for fear Abimelech should do them some mischief。 Now it
happened that there had come to them a man of authority; one
Gaal; that sojourned with them; having his armed men and his
kinsmen with him; so the Shechemites desired that he would allow
them a guard during their vintage; whereupon he accepted of their
desires; and so the people went out; and Gaal with them at the
head of his soldiery。 So they gathered their fruit with safety;
and when they were at supper in several companies; they then
ventured to curse Abimelech openly; and the magistrates laid
ambushes in places about the city; and caught many of Abimelech's
followers; and destroyed them。

4。 Now there was one Zebul; a magistrate of the Shechemites; that
had entertained Abimelech。 He sent messengers; and informed him
how much Gaal had irritated the people against him; and excited
him to lay ambushes before the city; for that he would persuade
Gaal to go out against him; which would leave it in his power to
be revenged on him; and when that was once done; he would bring
him to be reconciled to the city。 So Abimelech laid ambushes; and
himself lay with them。 Now Gaal abode in the suburbs; taking
little care of himself; and Zebul was with him。 Now as Gaal saw
the armed men coming on; he said to Zebul; That some armed men
were coming; but the other replied; They were only shadows of
huge stones: and when they were come nearer; Gaal perceived what
was the reality; and said; They were not shadows; but men lying
in ambush。 Then said Zebul; 〃Didst not thou reproach Abimelech
for cowardice? why dost thou not then show how very courageous
thou art thyself; and go and fight him?〃 So Gaal; being in
disorder; joined battle with Abimelech; and some of his men fell;
whereupon he fled into the city; and took his men with him。 But
Zebul managed his matters so in the city; that he procured them
to expel Gaal out of the city; and this by accusing him of
cowardice in this action with the soldiers of Ahimelech。 But
Abimelech; when he had learned that the Shechemites were again
coming out to gather their grapes; placed ambushes before the
city; and when they were coming out; the third part of his army
took possession of the gates; to hinder the citizens from
returning in again; while the rest pursued those that were
scattered abroad; and so there was slaughter every where; and
when he had overthrown the city to the very foundations; for it
was not able to bear a siege; and had sown its ruins with salt;
he proceeded on with his army till all the Shechemites were
slain。 As for those that were scattered about the country; and so
escaped the danger; they were gathered together unto a certain
strong rock; and settled themselves upon it; and prepared to
build a wall about it: and when Abimelech knew their intentions;
he prevented them; and came upon them with his forces; and laid
faggots of dry wood round the place; he himself bringing some of
them; and by his example encouraging the soldiers to do the same。
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