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were sent slew the men of war； with their children and wives；
excepting four hundred virgins。 To such a degree had they
proceeded in their anger； because they not only had the suffering
of the Levite's wife to avenge； but the slaughter of their own
soldiers。
12。 However； they afterward were sorry for the calamity they had
brought upon the Benjamites； and appointed a fast on that
account； although they supposed those men had suffered justly for
their offense against the laws； so they recalled by their
ambassadors those six hundred which had escaped。 These had seated
themselves on a certain rock called Rimmon； which was in the
wilderness。 So the ambassadors lamented not only the disaster
that had befallen the Benjamites； but themselves also； by this
destruction of their kindred； and persuaded them to take it
patiently； and to come and unite with them； and not； so far as in
them lay； to give their suffrage to the utter destruction of the
tribe of Benjamin； and said to them； 〃We give you leave to take
the whole land of Benjamin to yourselves； and as much prey as you
are able to carry away with you。〃 So these men with sorrow
confessed； that what had been done was according to the decree of
God； and had happened for their own wickedness； and assented to
those that invited them； and came down to their own tribe。 The
Israelites also gave them the four hundred virgins of Jabesh
Gilead for wives； but as to the remaining two hundred； they
deliberated about it how they might compass wives enough for
them； and that they might have children by them； and whereas they
had； before the war began； taken an oath； that no one would give
his daughter to wife to a Benjamite； some advised them to have no
regard to what they had sworn； because the oath had not been
taken advisedly and judiciously； but in a passion； and thought
that they should do nothing against God； if they were able to
save a whole tribe which was in danger of perishing； and that
perjury was then a sad and dangerous thing； not when it is done
out of necessity； but when it is done with a wicked intention。
But when the senate were affrighted at the very name of perjury；
a certain person told them that he could show them a way whereby
they might procure the Benjamites wives enough； and yet keep
their oath。 They asked him what his proposal was。 He said； 〃That
three times in a year； when we meet in Shiloh； our wives and our
daughters accompany us： let then the Benjamites be allowed to
steal away； and marry such women as they can catch； while we will
neither incite them nor forbid them； and when their parents take
it ill； and desire us to inflict punishment upon them； we will
tell them； that they were themselves the cause of what had
happened； by neglecting to guard their daughters； and that they
ought not to be over angry at the Benjamites； since that anger
was permitted to rise too high already。〃 So the Israelites were
persuaded to follow this advice； and decreed； That the Benjamites
should be allowed thus to steal themselves wives。 So when the
festival was coming on； these two hundred Benjamites lay in
ambush before the city； by two and three together； and waited for
the coming of the virgins； in the vineyards and other places
where they could lie concealed。 Accordingly the virgins came
along playing； and suspected nothing of what was coming upon
them； and walked after an unguarded manner； so those that laid
scattered in the road； rose up； and caught hold of them： by this
means these Benjamites got them wives； and fell to agriculture；
and took good care to recover their former happy state。 And thus
was this tribe of the Benjamites； after they had been in danger
of entirely perishing； saved in the manner forementioned； by the
wisdom of the Israelites； and accordingly it presently
flourished； and soon increased to be a multitude； and came to
enjoy all other degrees of happiness。 And such was the conclusion
of this war。
CHAPTER 3。
How The Israelites After This Misfortune Grew Wicked And Served
The Assyrians； And How God Delivered Them By Othniel； Who Ruled
Over The Forty Years。
1。 Now it happened that the tribe of Dan suffered in like manner
with the tribe of Benjamin； and it came to do so on the occasion
following： … When the Israelites had already left off the
exercise of their arms for war； and were intent upon their
husbandry； the Canaanites despised them； and brought together an
army； not because they expected to suffer by them； but because
they had a mind to have a sure prospect of treating the Hebrews
ill when they pleased； and might thereby for the time to come
dwell in their own cities the more securely； they prepared
therefore their chariots； and gathered their soldiery together；
their cities also combined together； and drew over to them
Askelon and Ekron； which were within the tribe of Judah； and many
more of those that lay in the plain。 They also forced the Danites
to fly into the mountainous country； and left them not the least
portion of the plain country to set their foot on。 Since then
these Danites were not able to fight them； and had not land
enough to sustain them； they sent five of their men into the
midland country； to seek for a land to which they might remove
their habitation。 So these men went as far as the neighborhood of
Mount Libanus； and the fountains of the Lesser Jordan； at the
great plain of Sidon； a day's journey from the city； and when
they had taken a view of the land； and found it to be good and
exceeding fruitful； they acquainted their tribe with it；
whereupon they made an expedition with the army； and built there
the city Dan； of the same name with the son of Jacob； and of the
same name with their own tribe。
2。 The Israelites grew so indolent； and unready of taking pains；
that misfortunes came heavier upon them； which also proceeded in
part from their contempt of the Divine worship； for when they had
once fallen off from the regularity of their political
government； they indulged themselves further in living according
to their own pleasure； and according to their own will； till they
were full of the evil doings that were common among the
Canaanites。 God therefore was angry with them； and they lost that
their happy state which they had obtained by innumerable labors；
by their luxury； for when Chushan； king of the Assyrians； had
made war against them； they lost many of their soldiers in the
battle； and when they were besieged； they were taken by force；
nay； there were some who； out of fear； voluntarily submitted to
him； and though the tribute laid upon them was more than they
could bear； yet did they pay it； and underwent all sort of
oppression for eight years； after which thee they were freed from
them in the following manner： …
3。 There was one whose name was Othniel； the son of Kenaz； of the
tribe of Judah； an active man and of great courage。 He had an
admonition from God not to overlook the Israelites in such a
distress as they were now in； but to endeavor boldly to gain them
their liberty； so when he had procured some to assist him in this
dangerous undertaking； （and few they were； who； either out of
shame at their present ci