Benjamin

Benjamin Birth Order

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Meaning of Name

Strong’s 1144—Binyâmîn, bin-yaw-mene’; from 1121 and 3225; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory:—Benjamin.

Mother

Rachel (a ewe)

Birth

Genesis 35:16–20: 16 And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath*: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, “Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.” 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem. 20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.** *Benjamin was the only one of the twelve sons not born when Jacob and his entourage were in Laban’s country. This “son of the right hand” was born on the way to Beth-lehem, just as the Son of our Father’s right hand would be born in Beth-lehem. **Rachel’s sepulchre is mentioned in I Samuel 10:2.

Hebrew Letter (from Paleo Hebrew page on the Internet)

The Hebrew letters associated with the tribe of Benjamin are beth (") (bayth) and yod (*) (yode). Beth is the English B and it means “house.” Numerically, it is the number 2, which signifies union, division, and witnessing. Yod is the English Y. It signifies the palm of the hand and power. Numerically, it is the number 10, which is testimony, law, and responsibility.

Gemstone

Jasper.* E. Raymond Capt says this was probably plasma, a variety of chalcedony having a color approaching emerald-green. It is often marked with black spots or yellow patches and is more translucent than Prase. It also takes a higher polish and is quite rare today. *Jasper was the last stone in the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:20), and the first foundation stone of the eternal city (Revelation 21:18).

Encampment Position

On the west, to the north of Ephraim and Manasseh.

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Benjamin Standard

A wolf.

Zodiac Sign

Gemini (The Twins)

Position in Zodiac Story

Second sign in the third book, The Redeemer. Messiah’s reign as Prince of Peace. The twofold nature of the King. Constellations are Lepus (The Hare, or the enemy trodden under foot), Canis Major (The Dog, or Sirius, the coming glorious Prince of Princes), and Canis Minor, (The Second Dog, or Procyon, the exalted Redeemer).

Jacob’s Blessing for the Last Days

Genesis 49:27: 27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

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Benjamin’s Blessing Genesis 49:27: 27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. From E. Raymond Capt’s Missing Links Discovered in the Assyrian Tablets: In this blessing, Benjamin is definitely likened to a WOLF, and so the WOLF became the emblem of Benjamin and the tribe descended from him. The tribe of Benjamin was closely tied to the much larger tribe of Judah. For nearly four hundred years, when the two tribes formed the Kingdom of Judah, the LION of Judah was the national emblem of the kingdom. Among the Northmen or “Norsemen” (the people who formed the northern wing of the Saxon branch of the Scythian migrations across Europe) there were some tribes that used the WOLF as an emblem. Many of these settled in Scandinavia. The Norman invaders of England who came from France carried the WOLF as their emblem. At one time, it was proposed that the WOLF be made the official emblem of Norway. One of the most famous of the Norsemen was called “Rollo the Wolf.” It is interesting to note that some of the Clans of Scotland have a partial Norwegian ancestry and that several of these, or their chieftains, use a WOLF as their emblem.

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Benjamin’s Zodiac Sign Gemini (The Twins) Second sign in the third book, The Redeemer. Messiah’s reign as Prince of Peace.

Gemini (The Twins) Hebrew Name The Hebrew name is Thaumim, which means united. The root of this word, tâ’am (Strong’s 8382), is used in two “twin” passages in the Bible, one pair in the pattern of the boards of the tabernacle, and the other pair in that beautiful description of our Father’s beloved in Song of Solomon: Exodus 26:23–24: 23 And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. 24 And they shall be coupled (tâ’am) together beneath, and they shall be coupled (tâ’am) together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners. Exodus 36:28–29: 28 And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. 29 And they were coupled (tâ’am) beneath, and coupled (tâ’am) together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners. Song of Solomon 4:2: 2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing, whereof every one bear twins (tâ’am), and none is barren among them. Song of Solomon 6:6: 6 Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, 4

whereof every one beareth twins (tâ’am), and there is not one barren among them. Gemini—85 Stars (two of the second magnitude, four of the third magnitude, six of the fourth magnitude) á

located in the head of the figure on our right, Apollo, ruler or judge

â

located in the head of the other figure, Hercules, who cometh to labour, or suffer

ã

located in his left foot, Arabic Al Henah, hurt, wounded, or afflicted

å

located in the center of his body, Waset, set

å

located in the knee of the other figure, Mebsuta, treading under feet Hebrew Propus, the branch, spreading Arabic Al Giauzâ, the palm branch Arabic Al Dirâ, the seed, or branch

Place in the Heavenly Story

All the pictures of Gemini are confused. The Latins called them Castor and Pollux, which was the sign on Paul’s ship in Acts 28:11: 11 And after three months, we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. The Greeks called them Apollo and Hercules. Gemini is shown as two youthful human figures walking, or coming. The first appears to be a man, and the second appears to be a woman. Gemini testifies to the twofold nature of Christ as God and Man, His twofold work of suffering and glory, and His twofold coming in humiliation and triumph. In Ophiuchus we have the two in one person: the crushed enemy and the wounded heel. But in Gemini the two great primeval truths are presented in two persons; for the two natures were one Person, “God and man in one Christ.” As man, suffering for our redemption; as God, glorified for our complete salvation and final triumph. One figure holds a great club in his right hand, while the other figure holds a harp in one hand and a bow and arrow in the other.* But in both figures, the club of one and the bow of the other, the weapons are in repose. These united ones are neither in action nor are preparing for action—they are at rest and at peace after victory won. *Benjamites were noted archers—see I Chronicles 8:40, I Chronicles 12:2, II Chronicles 14:8, and II Chronicles 17:17.

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Lepus The Hare—The Enemy (The Enemy Trodden Under Foot) Lepus is under the down-coming foot of Orion, and it tells of the blessed fact that when the true Orion, “the Sun of Righteousness, shall arise,” and “the true light” shall shine over all the earth, He “shall tread down the wicked” (Malachi 4). Isaiah 63:3–4: 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart, and the year of My redeemed is come.

Lepus—19 stars (three of the third magnitude, seven of the fourth magnitude) á

located in the body, Hebrew Arnebo and Arabic Arnebeth, the enemy of Him that cometh Nibal, the mad Arabic Rakis, the bound (with a chain) Sugia, the deceiver

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Canis Major (The Dog), or Sirius (The Prince) The Coming Glorious Prince of Princes Canis Major tells of the glorious Prince Who will subdue and reign. In the Persian planisphere he is pictured as a wolf, and is called Zeeb, which has the same meaning in Hebrew.

Canis Minor (The Second Dog), The Exalted Redeemer (Procyon) Just as this chapter begins with two persons in one in the sign (Gemini), one victorious, the other wounded, so it ends with a representation of two princes, one of whom is seen triumphant and the other as the Redeemer.

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Canis Major—64 Stars (two of the first magnitude, two of the second magnitude, four of the fourth magnitude) á

located in the head, Sirius, the Prince. This star is the brightest star in the heavens. The ancients always associated Sirius with great heat. As the brightest star, it speaks of the Prince of princes. It is sometimes called the “Dog-Star.”

â

located in the left forefoot, Mirzam, the prince or ruler

ä

located in the body, Wesen, the bright, the shining

å

located in the right hind leg, Adhara, the glorious Hebrew Aschere, who shall come Arabic Al Shira Al Jemeniya, the Prince or chief of the right hand Egyptian Seir, the Prince Hebrew Abur, the mighty Arabic Al Habor, the mighty Arabic Muliphen, the leader, the chief

Canis Minor—14 Stars (one of the first magnitude, one of the second magnitude, one of the fourth magnitude) á

brightest star, located in the body, Procyon, Redeemer

â

located in the neck, Arabic Al Gomeisa, the burthened, loaded, bearing for others Arabic Al Shira or Al Shemeliya, the prince or chief of the left hand (this star answers to the other star in Sirius, one right and the other left, as the two united figures are placed) Arabic Al Mirzam, the prince or ruler Arabic Al Gomeyra, who completes or perfects

The information in this section was taken from E. W. Bullinger’s The Witness of the Stars (Kregel Publications, reprint of 1893 ed.) and E. Raymond Capt’s The Glory of the Stars (Artisan Sales, 1982). See these works for more information on the zodiac.

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Benjamin Encamped, Numbered, and At War Abidan the Head of the House of His Fathers Numbers 1:3–5; 11: 3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. 5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. 11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.

35,400 Benjamites Able to Go Forth to War Numbers 1:36–37: 36 Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 37 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

Encampment on the West Numbers 2:22–23: 22 “Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.” 23 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 24 All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim* were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank. *The camp of Ephraim included all the tribes encamped on the west (Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh).

Benjamin’s Order in the Wilderness Journeyings of Israel Numbers 10:12–28: 12 And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran. 13 And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 14 In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 15 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 16 And over the host of the tribe of the children 9

of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. 17 And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle. 18 And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. 19 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 20 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 21 And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came. 22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. 23 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 24 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. 25 And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. 27 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. 28 Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.

Benjamite Spy Sent to the Land of Canaan Numbers 13:1–3; 9: 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 “Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.” 3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. 9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

Numbering in the Plains of Moab—45,600 Numbers 26:3–4; 38–41: 3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 4 “Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.” 38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites: 39 Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40 And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41 These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.* *This was an increase of 10,200 from Numbers 1.

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Benjamin Fails to Drive Out Jebusites from the Land of Canaan Judges 1:21: 21 And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

Benjamin in the Battle Against Sisera (The Song of Deborah and Barak) Judges 5:14–18: 14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; After thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, And out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; Even Issachar, and also Barak: He was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben There were great thoughts of heart. 16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. 17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: And why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, And abode in his breaches. 18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.

Ammonites Come Up Against Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim Judges 10:9–16: 9 Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed. 10 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD , saying, “We have sinned against Thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.” 11 And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, “Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? 12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to Me, and I delivered you out of their hand. 13 Yet ye have forsaken Me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. 14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.” 15 And the children of Israel said unto the LORD , “We have sinned: do Thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto Thee; deliver us only, we pray Thee, this day.” 16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD : and His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Ittai/Ithai Among David’s Mighty Men Against the Philistines II Samuel 23:22–38: 22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. 23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard. 24 Asahel the brother ofJoab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 11

29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, 39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all. I Chronicles 11:16–47: 16 And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Beth-lehem. 17 And David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate!” 18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD , 19 And said, “My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest. 20 And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three. 21 Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three. 22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. 23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear. 24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties. 25 Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard. 26 Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem, 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abi-ezer the Antothite, 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite, 35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha 12

his brother, the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.

Making David King I Chronicles 12:1–40: 1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. 2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin. 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite, 4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite, 5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6 Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites, 7 And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. 8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains; 9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh. 14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. 15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west. 16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. 17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, “If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.” 18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, “Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee.” Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. 19 And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, “He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.” 20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh. 21 And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host. 22 For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God. 23 And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD . 24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war. 25 Of the children 13

of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. 26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred. 27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred; 28 And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains. 29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul. 30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers. 31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king. 32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. 33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart. 34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand. 35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred. 36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand. 37 And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand. 38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. 39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them. 40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

Joab Refuses to Number Levi and Benjamin I Chronicles 21:1–6: 1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.” 3 And Joab answered, “The LORD make His people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?” 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. 5 And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. 6 But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.

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Benjamites in Asa’s Army II Chronicles 14:8–15:19: 8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour. 9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, “LORD , it is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD , Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee.” 12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. 13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD , and before His host; and they carried away very much spoil. 14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them. 15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: 2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, “Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. 3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. 4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found of them. 5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. 6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. 7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” 8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD , that was before the porch of the LORD . (9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. 10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. 12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. 14 And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about. 16 And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from 15

being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. 17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days. 18 And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.) 19 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

Eliada Among Jehoshaphat’s Mighty Men II Chronicles 17:10–19: 10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. 13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. 14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. 15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. 16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD ; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. 17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. 18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. 19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

Amaziah Makes Judah Captains Over Thousands and Hundreds in Judah and Benjamin II Chronicles 25:5–6: 5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. 6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.

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Benjamin’s Inheritances Elidad Appointed Prince to Divide the Land of Inheritance Numbers 34:16–18; 22: 16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17 “These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.

Benjamin’s Inheritances in the Promised Land Joshua 18:11–28: 11 And the lot* of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph. 12 And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Beth-el, southward; and the border descended to Ataroth-adar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Beth-horon. 14 And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward; and the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which is Kirjath-jearim, a city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter. 15 And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjathjearim, and the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah: 16 And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to En-rogel, 17 And was drawn from the north, and went forth to En-shemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben, 18 And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah: 19 And the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. 20 And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families. 21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and the valley of Keziz, 22 And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Beth-el, 23 And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, 24 And Chephar-haammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages: 25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth, 26 And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah, 27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah, 28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

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*The lot came up first for Benjamin

Kohathite Cities in Benjamin Joshua 21:4–5; 9–19: 4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities. 5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities. 9 And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name, 10 Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot. 11 And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it. 12 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession. 13 Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs, 14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, 15 And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs, 16 And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes. 17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, 18 Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities. 19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.* I Chronicles 6:54–65: 54 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot. 55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it. 56 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs, 58 And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs, 59 And Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs: 60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities. 61 And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities. 62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. 63 Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 64 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs. 65 And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names. 18

*It was specifically the children of Aaron and not the rest of the Kohathites who received their cities out of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. Theirs was the first lot.

Benjamite Stories Benjamin is Closest to Joseph’s Heart When Brothers Reunite Genesis 42-45: 1 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, “Why do ye look one upon another?” 2 And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.” 3 And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. 4 But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, “Lest peradventure mischief befall him.” 5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. 7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, “Whence come ye?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.” 8 19

And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. 9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, “Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.” 10 And they said unto him, “Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. 11 We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.” 12 And he said unto them, “Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.” 13 And they said, “Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.” 14 And Joseph said unto them, “That is it that I spake unto you, saying, ‘Ye are spies:’ 15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. 16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.” 17 And he put them all together into ward three days. 18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, “This do, and live; for I fear God: 19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: 20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die.” And they did so. 21 And they said one to another, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the child;’ and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” 23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. 24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. 25 Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them. 26 And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence. 27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack’s mouth. 28 And he said unto his brethren, “My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack:” and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, “What is this that God hath done unto us?” 29 And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying, 30 “The man, who is the LORD of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. 31 And we said unto him, ‘We are true men; we are no spies: 32 We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.’ 33 And the man, the LORD of the country, said unto us, ‘Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone: 34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.’” 35 And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said unto them, “Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” 37 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, “Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver 20

him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.” 38 And he said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.” 1 And the famine was sore in the land. 2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” 3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, “The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, ‘Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.’ 4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: 5 But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, ‘Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.’” 6 And Israel said, “Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?” 7 And they said, “The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother?’ and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down?’” 8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. 9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: 10 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.” 11 And their father Israel said unto them, “If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: 12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: 13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: 14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” 15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. 16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, “Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.” 17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house. 18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.” 19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, 20 And said, “O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: 21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. 22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.” 23 And he said, “Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money.” And he brought Simeon out unto them. 24 And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. 25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there. 26 And when Joseph 21

came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. 27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?” 28 And they answered, “Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive.” And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. 29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me?” And he said, “God be gracious unto thee, my son.” 30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. 31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, “Set on bread.” 32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another. 34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. 1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth. 2 And put my cup*, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money.” And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. 3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. *This cup was larger than a normal-sized drinking cup and was used for pouring wine. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for it is ge bîya, from the same root as Geba, one of the Benjamite cities given to the sons of Aaron.

4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, “Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, “Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? 5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.’” 6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. 7 And they said unto him, “Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: 8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? 9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.” 10 And he said, “Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.” 11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. 12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. 14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. 15 And Joseph said unto them, “What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?” 16 And Judah said, “What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity 22

of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.” 17 And he said, “God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.” 18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, “Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have ye a father, or a brother?’ 20 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.’ 21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, ‘Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.’ 22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die. 23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, ‘Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.’ 24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. 25 And our father said, ‘Go again, and buy us a little food.’ 26 And we said, ‘We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man’s face, except our youngest brother be with us.’ 27 And thy servant my father said unto us, ‘Ye know that my wife bare me two sons: 28 And the one went out from me, and I said, ‘Surely he is torn in pieces;’ and I saw him not since: 29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.’ 30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life; 31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. 32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, ‘If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.’ 33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. 34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.” 1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, “Cause every man to go out from me.” And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, “I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?” And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, “Come near to me, I pray you.” And they came near. And he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and He hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. 9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, ‘Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: 10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, 23

and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: 11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.’ 12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. 13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.” 14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. 16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brethren are come:” and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, “Say unto thy brethren, ‘This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; 18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.’ 19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” 21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. 23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. 24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, “See that ye fall not out by the way.” 25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, 26 And told him, saying, “Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not. 27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: 28 And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.”

Abidan’s Offering on the Ninth Day for the Dedicating of the Altar Numbers 7:1–6; 11; 60–66: 1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; 2 That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered: 3 And they brought their offering before the LORD , six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle. 4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 5 “Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.” 6 And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. 11 And the LORD said unto Moses, “They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.” 60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered: 61 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof 24

was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 62 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 63 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 64 One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 65 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

Benjamin to Bless the People Deuteronomy 27:11–26: 11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin: 13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, 15 ‘Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD , the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’ 16 ‘Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 18 ‘Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 19 ‘Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 21 ‘Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 22 ‘Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 23 ‘Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 24 ‘Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 25 ‘Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 26 ‘Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Moses’ Blessing to Benjamin Deuteronomy 33:12: 12 And of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders.”

Ehud Delivers Israel from Moabites Judges 3:12–30: 12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD : and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD . 13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and 25

went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees. 14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. 15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD , the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. 16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. 17 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man. 18 And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. 19 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret errand unto thee, O king:” who said, “Keep silence.” And all that stood by him went out from him. 20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God unto thee.” And he arose out of his seat. 21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: 22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out. 23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them. 24 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, “Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.” 25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth. 26 And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath. 27 And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. 28 And he said unto them, “Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. 29 And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

The Days of Gibeah Judges 19–21: 1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth-lehem-judah. 2 And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four whole months. 3 And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him. 4 And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there. 5 And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, “Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.” 6 26

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, “Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.” 7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again. 8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, “Comfort thine heart, I pray thee.” And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them. 9 And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, “Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.” 10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him. 11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, “Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.” 12 And his master said unto him, “We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.” 13 And he said unto his servant, “Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.” 14 And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin. 15 And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging. 16 And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites. 17 And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, “Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?” 18 And he said unto him, “We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD ; and there is no man that receiveth me to house. 19 Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.” 20 And the old man said, “Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.” 21 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink. 22 Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.” 23 And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, “Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. 24 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.” 25 But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. 26 Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house 27

where her lord was, till it was light. 27 And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. 28 And he said unto her, “Up, and let us be going.” But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place. 29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. 30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, “There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.” 1 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh. 2 And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword. 3 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, “Tell us, how was this wickedness?” 4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, “I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. 5 And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. 6 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. 7 Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.” 8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, “We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house. 9 But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it; 10 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.” 11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man. 12 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What wickedness is this that is done among you? 13 Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel.” But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel: 14 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel. 15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men. 16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss. 17 And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war. 18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, “Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin?” And the LORD said, “Judah shall go up first.” 19 And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah. 20 And the men of Israel went out to 28

battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah. 21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. 22 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. 23 (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD , saying, “Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” And the LORD said, “Go up against him.”) 24 And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. 25 And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword. 26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD , and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD . 27 And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD , (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, 28 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease?” And the LORD said, “Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.” 29 And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah. 30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times. 31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel. 32 And the children of Benjamin said, “They are smitten down before us, as at the first.” But the children of Israel said, “Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.” 33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah. 34 And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them. 35 And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword. 36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah. 37 And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. 38 Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. 39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, “Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.” 40 But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven. 41 And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them. 42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came 29

out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them. 43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising. 44 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour. 45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. 46 So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour. 47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months. 48 And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to. 1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, “There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.” 2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; 3 And said, “O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?” 4 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. 5 And the children of Israel said, “Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD ?” For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, “He shall surely be put to death.” 6 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, “There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day. 7 How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?” 8 And they said, “What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD ?” And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly. 9 For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there. 10 And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, “Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children. 11 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.” 12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan. 13 And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them. 14 And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not. 15 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel. 16 Then the elders of the congregation said, “How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?” 17 And they said, “There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel. 18 Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, ‘Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.’” 19 Then they said, “Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Beth-el, on the east side of the 30

highway that goeth up from Beth-el to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.” 20 Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards; 21 And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. 22 And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, ‘Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.’” 23 And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them. 24 And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. 25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Hosea 9:8–10: 8 The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. 9 They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore He will remember their iniquity, He will visit their sins. 10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved. Hosea 10:9–11: 9 O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them. 10 It is in My desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. 11 And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

A Man of Benjamin Tells Eli the Ark Has Departed from Israel I Samuel 4:12–22: 12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. 13 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. 14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, “What meaneth the noise of this tumult?” And the man came in hastily, and told Eli. 15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. 16 And the man said unto Eli, “I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army.” And he said, “What is there done, my son?” 17 And the messenger answered and said, “Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.” 18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. 31

19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. 20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, ‘Fear not; for thou hast born a son.’ But she answered not, neither did she regard it. 21 And she named the child I-chabod, saying, “The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.” 22 And she said, “The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.”

David’s Charges to Solomon I Kings 2:1–11: 1 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; 3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: 4 That the LORD may continue His word which He spake concerning me, saying, ‘If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee’ (said He) ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’ 5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. 7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother. 8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD , saying, ‘I will not put thee to death with the sword.’ 9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him); but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.” 10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. 11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

Benjamite Among Solomon’s Twelve Officers I Kings 4:7; 18: 7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision. 18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:

Asa Builds Geba of Benjamin 32

I Kings 15:16–24: 16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. 17 And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD , and the treasures of the king’s house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, 19 “There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.” 20 So Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-beth-maachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. 21 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah. 22 Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah. 23 The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet. 24 And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

David Appoints Jaasiel Ruler Over Benjamin I Chronicles 27:1–21: 1 Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand. 2 Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 3 Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4 And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand. 5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son. 7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 12 The ninth captain for the ninth month 33

was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah: 17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok: 18 Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: 20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: 21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 22 Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.

Benjamin Stays With Judah in the Divided Kingdom I Kings 11:11–13; 26–40: 11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, “Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept My covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe* to thy son for David My servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen. 26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king. 27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father. 28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph. 29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: 30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: 31 And he said to Jeroboam, “Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 32 (But he shall have one tribe for My servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) 33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways, to do that which is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did David his father. 34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David My servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept My commandments and My statutes: 35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. 36 And unto his 34

son will I give one tribe, that David My servant may have a light alway before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen Me to put My name there. 37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. 38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in My ways, and do that is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. 39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.’” 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. *The “tribe” given to Judah was Benjamin by name, but must have included the Simeonites and Levites who dwelled among Judah in the southern kingdom too. It wouldn’t be a stretch to suppose some of Benjamin stayed with the northern kingdom given Benjamin’s close connection to his only full brother, Joseph, and the close proximity of their territories. The Hebrew word translated “light” is ner (Strong’s 5216), and is the same word as the name of Abner’s father (Ner). This phrase is found four times and always of David— II Samuel 21:17, I Kings 11:36, II Kings 8:19, II Chronicles 21:7.

I Kings 12:21–24: 21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 22 But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 23 “Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 24 ‘Thus saith the LORD , ‘Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from Me.’ ’” They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD , and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD . II Chronicles 11:1–23: 1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3 “Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 ‘Thus saith the LORD , “Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of Me.’” And they obeyed the words of the LORD , and returned from going against Jeroboam. 5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. 6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam, 8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, 10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities. 11 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine. 12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side. 13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. 14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the LORD : 15 And he ordained him 35

priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. 16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. 18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse; 19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham. 20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.) 22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king. 23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.

Groves, Altars, Images and High Places Broken Down in Benjamin During Hezekiah’s Reign II Chronicles 31:1: 1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

Benjamite Money Helps Repair Temple in Josiah’s Reign II Chronicles 34:8–11: 8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. 9 And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem. 10 And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD , and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD , to repair and amend the house: 11 Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.

Josiah Makes Men of Judah and Benjamin to Stand to Covenant With the Lord 36

II Chronicles 34:29–33: 29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD , and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD . 31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD , to walk after the LORD , and to keep His commandments, and His testimonies, and His statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. 32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD , the God of their fathers.

Benjamites Help Judah and Levi Rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem in Ezra and Nehemiah’s Time Ezra 1:5–6: 5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. Ezra 4:1–5: 1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, “Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.” 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, “Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.” 4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 10:6–14: 6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. 7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; 8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and 37

the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. 9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. 10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, “Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. 11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do His pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.” 12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, “As thou hast said, so must we do. 13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing. 14 Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.” Nehemiah 11:4–8: 4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; 5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni. 6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. 7 And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah. 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. 9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city. Nehemiah 11:31–36: 31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and in their villages, 32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. 36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin. Nehemiah 12:31–35: 31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: 32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, 33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35 And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:

Mordecai Claims to be a Benjamite Esther 2:5–6: 5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was 38

Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

Benjamin in the Psalms David wrote a number of Psalms while fleeing from Saul: Psalms 18, 52, 54, 57, 59

Psalm 7:1–17: 1 Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD , concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, In Thee do I put my trust: Save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (Yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; Yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, And lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, O LORD , in Thine anger, Lift up Thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that Thou hast commanded. 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass Thee about: For their sakes therefore return Thou on high. 8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD , according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 10 My defence is of God, Which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, He will whet His sword; He hath bent His bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; He ordaineth His arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 17 I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness: And will sing praise to the name of the LORD MOST HIGH. Psalm 68:22–31: 22 The Lord said, “I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring My people again from the depths of the sea: 23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.” 24 They have seen Thy goings, O God; Even the goings of my GOD , my King, in the sanctuary. 25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. 26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the LORD , from the fountain of Israel. 27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. 28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which Thou hast wrought for us. 29 Because of Thy temple at Jerusalem Shall kings bring presents unto Thee. 30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, Till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: Scatter Thou the people that delight in war. 31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. 39

Psalm 80:1–7: 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou That leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou That dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. 2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up Thy strength, and come and save us. 3 Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. 4 O LORD God of hosts, How long wilt Thou be angry against the prayer of Thy people? 5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. 6 Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Benjamin Mentioned in Prophets Jeremiah 1:1–10: 1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. 4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” 6 Then said I, “Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.” 7 But the LORD said unto me, “Say not, ‘I am a child:’ for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD .” 9 Then the LORD put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, “Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 6:1–8: 1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction. 2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman. 3 The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place. 4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. 5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces. 6 For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, “Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. 7 As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before Me continually is grief and wounds. 8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest My soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.” Jeremiah 17:26–27: 26 And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, 40

and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD . 27 But if ye will not hearken unto Me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.’” Jeremiah 20:1–6: 1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD , heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. 2 Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD . 3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, “The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib. 4 For thus saith the LORD , ‘Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword. 5 Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. 6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.’” Jeremiah 31:10–17: 10 Hear the word of the LORD , O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, “He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. 11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. 12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD , for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. 13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. 14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, saith the LORD .” 15 Thus saith the LORD ; “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel* weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. 16 Thus saith the LORD ; ‘Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD ; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. 17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD , that thy children shall come again to their own border. *Bullinger’s note: Rahel = Rachel. The mother of Joseph and Benjamin (i.e. Ephraim); thus uniting the two kingdoms and the two peoples. This prophecy is mentioned in Matthew 2:16–18: 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,

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Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.”

Jeremiah 32:6–15: 6 And Jeremiah said, “The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 7 ‘Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, ‘Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.’” 8 So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD , and said unto me, “Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself.” Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD . 9 And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. 10 And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. 11 So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open: 12 And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison. 13 And I charged Baruch before them, saying, 14 “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; ‘Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.’ 15 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; ‘Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.’” Jeremiah 32:44: 44 Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD .’” Jeremiah 33:12–16: 12 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; ‘Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down. 13 In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD . 14 ‘Behold, the days come, saith the LORD , that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.’ Jeremiah 37:11–15: 11And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army, 12 Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people. 13 And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, 42

whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.” 14 Then said Jeremiah, “It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans.” But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes. 15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison. Jeremiah 38:1–13: 1 Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying, 2 “Thus saith the LORD , ‘He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.’ 3 Thus saith the LORD , ‘This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which shall take it.’” 4 Therefore the princes said unto the king, “We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.” 5 Then Zedekiah the king said, “Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.” 6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. 7 Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; 8 Ebed-melech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake to the king, saying, 9 “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.” 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.” 11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. 12 And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, “Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords.” And Jeremiah did so. 13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. Hosea 5:8–15: 8 Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin. 9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be. 10 The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. 12 Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness. 13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your 43

wound. 14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. 15 I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early. Obadiah 19: 19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

Saul What follow are just a few selections on Saul. No study of Benjamin can be complete without a study of all of I and II Samuel.

The Anointing of Saul I Samuel 9–10: 1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. 3 And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, “Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.” 4 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. 44

5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, “Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.” 6 And he said unto him, “Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.” 7 Then said Saul to his servant, “But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?” 8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, “Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.” 9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, “Come, and let us go to the seer:” for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 10 Then said Saul to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went unto the city where the man of God was. 11 And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, “Is the seer here?” 12 And they answered them, and said, “He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: 13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. 14 And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place. 15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, 16 “To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over My people Israel, that he may save My people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon My people, because their cry is come unto Me.” 17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, “Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over My people.” 18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.” 19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, “I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. 20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house?” 21 And Saul answered and said, “Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? 22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. 23 And Samuel said unto the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, ‘Set it by thee.’” 24 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. 25 And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house. 26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, “Up, that I may send thee away.” And 45

Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. 27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Bid the servant pass on before us,” (and he passed on,) “but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.” 1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, “Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over His inheritance? 2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, ‘The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, ‘What shall I do for my son?’” 3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: 4 And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. 5 After that thou shalt come to the hill* of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. 8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.” 9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. 10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, “What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12 And one of the same place answered and said, “But who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. 14 And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, “Whither went ye?” And he said, “To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.” 15 And Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.” 16 And Saul said unto his uncle, “He told us plainly that the asses were found.” But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not. 17 And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh; 18 And said unto the children of Israel, “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you: 19 And ye have this day rejected your God, Who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto Him, ‘Nay, but set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands. 20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was 46

taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, “Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.” 23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, “See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?” And all the people shouted, and said, “God save the king.” 25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD . And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. 26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. 27 But the children of Belial said, “How shall this man save us?” And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. *The word translated hill is the same word translated Gibeah and is the feminine of Geba. Both words come from the same root as gebîya, the Hebrew word for the silver cup used for pouring wine that Joseph put in Benjamin’s sack.

The Armies of Saul Defeat Ammonites I Samuel 11: 1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.” 2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, “On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.” 3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, “Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.” 4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept. 5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, “What aileth the people that they weep?” And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. 6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, “Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen.” And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. 8 And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9 And they said unto the messengers that came, “Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, ‘To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help.’” And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.” 11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together. 12 And the people said unto Samuel, “Who is he that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’” bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13 And Saul 47

said, “There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.” 14 Then said Samuel to the people, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.” 15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD ; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Saul Against the Philistines I Samuel 13–14: 1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. 3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” 4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. 5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 And Saul said, “Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. 11 And Samuel said, “What hast thou done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, ‘The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD :’ I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which He commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought Him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” 15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: 18 And another company turned the 48

way to Beth-horon: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. 19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:” 20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. 21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. 22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. 23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash. 1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, “Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side.” But he told not his father. 2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; 3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD ’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. 4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. 6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, “Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” 7 And his armourbearer said unto him, “Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.” 8 Then said Jonathan, “Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. 9 If they say thus unto us, ‘Tarry until we come to you;’ then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. 10 But if they say thus, ‘Come up unto us;’ then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.” 11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, “Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.” 12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing.” And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, “Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.” 13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. 14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. 15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. 16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. 17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, “Number now, and see who is gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. 18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, “Bring hither the ark of God.” For the ark of God was at that time with the 49

children of Israel. 19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, “Withdraw thine hand.” 20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. 21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven. 24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies.” So none of the people tasted any food. 25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. 26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. 28 Then answered one of the people, and said, “Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day.’” And the people were faint. 29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?” 31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. 32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people sin against the LORD , in that they eat with the blood.” And he said, “Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.” 34 And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, ‘Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood.’” And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. 35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD : the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD . 36 And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee.” Then said the priest, “Let us draw near hither unto God.” 37 And Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt Thou deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He answered him not that day. 38 And Saul said, “Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. 39 For, as the LORD liveth, Which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. 40 Then said he unto all Israel, “Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said unto Saul, “Do what seemeth good unto thee.” 41 50

Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. 42 And Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken. 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what thou hast done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.” 44 And Saul answered, “God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.” 45 And the people said unto Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. 46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place. 47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. 48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: 50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. 51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.

Saul Versus David I Samuel 22:6–23: 6 When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) 7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, “Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; 8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” 9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10 And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” 11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. 12 And Saul said, “Hear now, thou son of Ahitub.” And he answered, “Here I am, my lord.” 13 And Saul said unto him, “Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” 14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, “And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy 51

bidding, and is honourable in thine house? 15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.” 16 And the king said, “Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.” 17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, “Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD ; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me.” But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD . 18 And the king said to Doeg, “Turn thou, and fall upon the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. 20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. 21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD ’s priests. 22 And David said unto Abiathar, “I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house. 23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.”

More On Saul II Samuel 2-4: 1 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD , saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said unto him, “Go up.” And David said, “Whither shall I go up?” And he said, “Unto Hebron.” 2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. 3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That “the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.” 5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, “Blessed be ye of the LORD , that ye have shewed this kindness unto your LORD , even unto Saul, and have buried him. 6 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. 7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.” 8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ish-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 52

And Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now arise, and play before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.” 15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. 18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. 19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, “Art thou Asahel?” And he answered, “I am.” 21 And Abner said to him, “Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?” 23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. 24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, “Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?” 27 And Joab said, “As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.” 28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. 30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died. 32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day. 1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. 6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. 7 And Saul had a concubine, 53

whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?” 8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, “Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.” 11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. 12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.” 13 And he said, “Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.” 14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, “Go, return.” And he returned. 17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: 18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’” 19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. 21 And Abner said unto David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth.” And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. 22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, ‘What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.” 26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. 27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: 29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or 54

that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, “Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, “Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: As a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou.” And all the people wept again over him. 35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, “So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.” 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. 38 And the king said unto his servants, “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? 39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.” 1 And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. 2 And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin: 3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.) 4 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. 5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. 6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night. 8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.” 9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, “As the LORD liveth, Who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 10 When one told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: 11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?” 12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. 55

II Samuel 16:5–14: 5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, “Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.” 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.” 10 And the king said, “What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, ‘Curse David.’ Who shall then say, ‘Wherefore hast thou done so?’” 11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.” 13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

Continued Trouble from the House of Saul II Samuel 19:16–21:22: 16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. 17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. 18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; 19 And said unto the king, “Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.” 21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD ’s anointed?” 22 And David said, “What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?” 23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, “Thou shalt not die.” And the king sware unto him. 24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. 25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, “Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 And he answered, “My lord, O king, my 56

servant deceived me: for thy servant said, ‘I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king;’ because thy servant is lame. 27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. 28 For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?” 29 And the king said unto him, “Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, ‘Thou and Ziba divide the land.’” 30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, “Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.” 31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. 33 And the king said unto Barzillai, “Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. 34 And Barzillai said unto the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?” 35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? 36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? 37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.” 38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.” 39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place. 40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel. 41 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, “Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?” 42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?” 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. 1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, “We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.” 2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in 57

unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. 4 Then said the king to Amasa, “Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.” 5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai, “Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.” 7 And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. 9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Art thou in health, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, “He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.” 12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. 13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. 14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him. 15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. 16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, “Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, ‘Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.’” 17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, “Art thou Joab?” And he answered, “I am he.” Then she said unto him, “Hear the words of thine handmaid.” And he answered, “I do hear.” 18 Then she spake, saying, “They were wont to speak in old time, saying, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel:’ and so they ended the matter. 19 I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD ? “20 And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. 21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.” And the woman said unto Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.” 22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king. 23 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: 24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: 25 And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: 26 And Ira also 58

the Jairite was a chief ruler about David. 1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD . And the LORD answered, “It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.” 2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) 3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD ?” 4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, “We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel.” And he said, “What ye shall say, that will I do for you.” 5 And they answered the king, “The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, 6 Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose.” And the king said, “I will give them.” 7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD ’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: 9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD : and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest. 10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. 11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. 12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: 13 And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. 14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land. 15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. 16 And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, “Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.”

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Another Saul of Benjamin (Paul) Acts 13:20–21: 20 And after that He gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. Romans 11:1: 1 I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Philippians 3:4–5: 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

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Benjamin’s Genealogies Benjamin Listed As One of Jacob’s Twelve Sons Genesis 35:22-26: 22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: 23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: 24 The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: 25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali: 26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padan-aram.

Benjamites Who Entered Egypt Genesis 46:8; 19–22: 8 And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. 19 The sons of Rachel Jacob’s wife; Joseph, and Benjamin. 20 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. 21 And the 61

sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard. 22 These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen. Exodus 1:1–1:5: 1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 And all the souls that came out of the loins ofJacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.

Benjamin Listed as One of Jacob’s Twelve Sons in Chronicles I Chronicles 2:1: 1 These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Genealogy of Benjamin in Chronicles I Chronicles 7:6–12: 6 The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher,* and Jediael, three.** 7 And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four. 8 And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher. 9 And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred. 10 The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar. 11 All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle. 12 Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.*** *This word is very interesting. Becher’s name comes from the root bâkar, Strong’s 1069: bâkar, baw-kar’; a prim. root; prop. to burst the womb, i.e. (caus.) bear or make early fruit (of woman or tree); also (as denom. from 1061) to give the birthright:—make firstborn, be firstling, bring forth first child (new fruit). Bâkar is used in four places in the Bible: Leviticus 27:26, Deuteronomy 21:16, Jeremiah 4:31, and Ezekiel 47:12. **Bullinger says the other branches of Benjamites had probably become extinct by the time of this writing, and that these were the families to be dealt with later. ***Aher means “another” (Dan in this case). See Genesis 46:23.

I Chronicles 8:1–40: 1 Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud, 4 And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah, 5 And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram. 6 And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the 62

inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath: 7 And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud. 8 And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives. 9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, 10 And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers. 11 And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. 12 The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: 13 Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: 14 And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, 15 And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, 16 And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; 17 And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, 18 Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; 19 And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, 20 And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, 21 And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; 22 And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, 23 And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, 24 And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, 25 And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; 26 And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, 27 And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. 28 These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. 29 And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife’s name was Maachah: 30 And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, 31 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher. 32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them. 33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal. 34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah. 35 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. 36 And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, 37 And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: 38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin. I Chronicles 9:1–9: 1 So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. 2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. 3 And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh; 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah. 5 And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons. 6 And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety. 7 And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah, 8 And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 And their 63

brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.

Names and Places Associated With Benjamin Benjamites

Ahiah (281) brother (i.e. worshipper) of Yah Ahiezer (295) brother of help Ahihud (282) brother (i.e. possessor) of renown Ahimaaz (290) brother of anger Ahinoam (293) brother of pleasantness Ahio (283) brotherly Ahiram/Ahiramites (297/298) brother of height (i.e. high) Ahoah (265) brotherly Aiah (345) the screamer, i.e. a hawk Alameth/Alemeth (5964) a covering Anathoth (6068) answer Anetothite/Antothite (6069) answer Antothijah (6070) answers of Yah Aphiah (647) breeze Arad (6166) fugitive Ard/Ardites (714/716) fugitive Armoni (764) palatial Ashbel/Ashbelites (788/789) flowing Athaliah (6271) Yah has constrained

Abdon (5658) servitude Abiah (29) father (i.e. worshipper) of Yah Abidan (27) father of judgment (i.e. judge) Abiel (22) father (i.e. possessor) of God Abi-ezer (44) father of help (i.e. helpful) Abihud (31) father (i.e. possessor) of renown Abinadab (41) father of generosity (i.e. liberal) Abishahar (300) brother of (the) dawn Abishua (50) father of plenty (i.e. prosperous) Abitub (36) father of goodness (i.e. good) Abner (74) father of light (i.e. enlightening) Adaiah (5718) Yah has adorned Addar (146) ample Ader (5738) an arrangement (i.e. drove) Aharah (315) after (his) brother Ahaz (271) possessor Aher (313) prop. hinder; gen. next, other, etc.

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Azareel (5832) God has helped Azel (682) noble Azmaveth (5820) strong one of death Azrikam (5840) help of an enemy Baal (1168) a master; hence a husband, or fig. owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense) Baanah (1196) in affliction Baara (1199) brutish Bealiah (1183) Yah (is) master Becher (1071) a young camel Bechorath (1064) primogeniture Bela/Belah/Belaites (1106/1108) a gulp; fig. destruction Benjamin (1144) son of (the) right hand Ben-oni (1126) son of my sorrow Berachah (1294) benediction; by impl. prosperity Beraiah (1256) Yah has created Beriah (1283) in trouble Berites (1276) of uncert. der. Bichri (1075) youthful Bilhan (1092) timid Binea (1150) of uncert. der. Bocheru (1074) first-born Chenaanah (3668) humiliated Chislon (3692) hopeful Cush (3568) prob. of for. or. Eber (5677) prop. a region across; but used only adv. (with or without a prep.) on the opposite side (espec. of the Jordan; usually mean. the east) Ehi (278) brotherly Ehud (164/261) united Elah (425) an oak or other strong tree Elam (5867) hidden, i.e. distant Eleasah (501) God has made Eliah (452) God of Yahveh Eliada (450) God (is) knowing Elidad (449) God of (his) love Eliel (447) God of (his) God Elienai (462) towards Yahveh (are) my eyes Eliezer (461) God of help Elioenai (454) towards Yahveh (are) my eyes Eliphelet (467) God of deliverance Elkanah (511) God has obtained El-paal (508) God (is) act Eluzai (498) God (is) defensive Esh-baal (792) man of Baal Eshek (6232) oppression Ezbon (675) of uncert. der. Gabbai (1373) collective

Gederathite (1452) inclosure (espec. for flocks) Gedor (1446) inclosure Gera (1617) a grain Gibeonite (1393) hilly Gideoni (1441) warlike Hanan (2605) favor Hananiah* (2608) Yah has favored Haruphite (2741) autumnal Hasenuah (5574) pointed Heber (5677) prop. a region across; but used only adv. (with or without a prep.) on the opposite side (espec. of the Jordan; usually mean. the east) Hezeki (2395) strong Hodaviah (1938) majesty of Yah Hodesh (2321) the new moon; by impl. a month Hupham/Huphamites (2349/2350) protection Huppim (2650) canopies Huram (2361) whiteness, i.e. noble Husham (2367) hastily Ibneiah (2997) built of Yah Ibnijah (2998) building of Yah Iphedeiah (3301) Yah will liberate Ir (5893) a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) Iri (5901) urbane Irijah* (3376) fearful of Yah Ish-bosheth (378) man of shame Ishmerai (3461) preservative Ishpan (3473) he will hide Ishmael (3458) God will hear Ispah (3472) he will scratch Ishui (3440) level Ismaiah (3460) Yah will hear Ithiel (384) God has arrived Ittai (863) near Jaasiel (3300) made of God Jahaziel (3166) beheld of God Jakim (3356) he will raise Jaresiah (3298) from an unused root of uncert. signif. and 3050 Jashobeam (3434) people will return Jediael (3043) knowing God Jehoadah (3085) Yahveh-adorned Jehozabad (3075) Yahveh-endowed Jehu (3058) Yahveh (is) He Jehush (3266) hasty Jeremiah (3414) Yah will rise Jeremoth/Jerimoth (3406) elevations Jeroham (3395) compassionate

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Jesaiah (3470) Yah has saved Jesiah (3449) Yah will lend Jeush (3274) hasty Jeuz (3263) counsellor Jeziel (3149) sprinkled of God Jezliah (3152) he will draw out Joash (3101) Yahveh-fired Jobab (3103) howler Joed (3133) appointer Joelah (3132) furthermore Joezer (3134) Yahveh (is his) help Joha (3109) Yahveh-revived Johanan (3110) Yahveh-favored Jonathan (3129) Yahveh-given Josabad (3107) Yahveh-endowed Kish/Cis (7027 Hebrew/2797 Greek) a bow Kolaiah (6964) voice of Yah Korhites (7145) ice Laish* (3919) from 3888 in the sense of crushing; a lion (from his destructive blows) Maachah (4601) depression (in the sense of being pressed) Maaseiah (4641) work of Yah Malcham (4445) a king; the national idol of the Ammonites Malchishua/Melchi-shua (4444) king of wealth Matri (4309) rainy Melech (4429) king Mephibosheth (4648) dispeller of shame (i.e. of Baal) Merab (4764) increase Merib-baal (4807) quareller of Baal Mesha (4331) departure Meshullam (4918) allied Micah (4318) who (is) like Yah? Michal (4324) rivulet Michael (4317) who (is) like God? Michri (4381) salesman Mikloth (4732) rods Mirma (4821) fraud Misham (4936) inspection Moza (4162) from 3318; a going forth, i.e. (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence a source or product; spec. dawn, the rising of the sun (the East), exportation, utterance, a gate, a fountain, a mine, a meadow (as producing grass) Muppim (4649) wavings Naaman/Naamites (5283/5280) pleasantness Nadab (5070) liberal

Ner (5369) lamp Nohah (5119) quietude Obadiah (5662) serving Yah Omri (6018) heaping Palti/Phalti (6406) delivered Paul (3972 Greek) little Pedaiah (6305) Yah has ransomed Pelet (6404) escape Penuel (6439) face of God Phaltiel (6409) deliverance of God Pithon (6377) expansive Rapha (7498) giant Raphu (7505) cured Rechab (7394) rider Reuel (7467) friend of God Ribai (7380) contentious Rimmon (7417) a pomegranate; the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament) Rizpah (7532) a hot stone; also a tesellated pavement Rosh (7220) from an unused root appar. mean. to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether lit. or fig. (in many applications of place, time, rank, etc.) Sallai/Sallu (5543) weighed Saul (7586) asked Shachia (7634) captivation Shaharaim (7842) double dawn Shamed (8106) something preserved, i.e. the settlings (plur. only) of wine Shamsherai (8125) sunlike Shashak (8349) pedestrian Sheariah (8187) Yah has stormed Sheba (7652) seven Sheharaiah (7841) Yah has sought Shelemiah* (8018) thank-offering of Yah Shema (8087) something heard, i.e. a sound rumor, announcement; abstr. audience Shemaah (8094) annunciation Shemariah (8114) Yah has guarded Shephatiah/Shephathiah (8203) Yah has judged Shephuphan (8197) serpent-like Shimeah (8039) annunciation Shimei/Shimhi (8096) famous Shimrath (8119) guardship Shupham/Shuphamites (8197/7781) serpent-like Shuppim (8206) serpents Tarea (8390) the earth; by impl. (fig.) low Tharshish (8659) prob. of for. der.; a gem, perh. the topaz

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Ulam (198) solitary Uzza (5798) strength Uzzi (5813) forceful Uzziel (5816) strength of God Zabdi (2067) giving Zacher (2144) a memento, abstr. recollection (rarely if ever); by impl. commemoration Zebadiah (2069) Yah has given Zemira (2160) song Zeror (6872) a parcel (as packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a package) Zethan (2133) olive grove Ziba* (6717) station Zibia (6644) a female gazelle Zichri (2147) memorable Zilthai (6769) shady Zimri (2174) musical Zur (6698) rock

Amalekites (6003) prob. of for. or. Amariah (568) Yah has said (i.e. promised) Amasai (6022) burdensome Amasiah (6007) Yah has loaded Amaziah (558) strength of Yah Ammihud (5989/5991) people of splendor/people of nobility Ammizabad (5990) people of endowment Ammon/Ammonites (5983) tribal, i.e. inbred Amnon (550) faithful Amon (526) skilled Amorites (567) a mountaineer Anak (6061) a necklace (as if strangling) Anethothite (6069) answer Arabians (6163) patrial from 6152, which is from 6150 in the fig. sense of sterility; 6150 a prim. root [rather identical with 6148 through the idea of covering with a texture]; to grow dusky at sundown Arbathite (6164) house of the Desert Arbite (701) of for. der. Aroerite (6200) nudity of situation Asa (609) of uncert. der. Asahel (6214) God has made Asaiah (6222) Yah has made Asaph (623) collector Asenath (621) of Eg. der. Ashterathite (6254) increase Ashurites (805) from a patrial word of the same form as 804; 804 appar. from 833 (in the sense of successful); 833 a prim. root; to be straight (used in the widest sense, espec. to be level, right, happy); fig. to go forward, be honest, prosper Athaiah (6265) Yah has helped Attai (6262) timely Azaliah (683) Yah has reserved Azariah (5838) Yah has helped Azaziah (5812) Yah has strengthened Azmaveth (5820) strong one of death Azriel (5837) help of God Baanah (1196) in affliction Baasha (1201) offensiveness Baharumite (978) young men Barhumite* (1273) young men Bani (1137) built Barak (1301) lightning; by anal. a gleam; concr. a flashing sword Baruch (1263) blessed Barzillai (1271) iron hearted Beerothite (886) wells

Non-Benjamites Aaronites (175) of uncert. der. Abi-albon (45) father of strength (i.e. valiant) Abiathar (54) father of abundance (i.e. liberal) Abiel (22) father (i.e. possessor) of God Abi-ezer (44) father of help (i.e. helpful) Abigail (26) father (i.e. source) of joy Abihail (32) father (i.e. possessor) of might Abijah (29) father (i.e. worshipper) of Yah Abishai (52) father of a gift (i.e. prob. generous) Abital (37) father of dew (i.e. fresh) Absalom (53) father of peace (i.e. friendly) Adaiah (5718) Yah has adorned Adina (5721) effeminacy Adnah (5734) pleasure Adonijah (138) lord (i.e. worshipper) of Yah Adoram (151) lord of height Adriel (5741) flock of God Ahasbai (308) of uncert. der. Ahiah/Ahijah (281) brother (i.e. worshipper) of Yah Ahiam (279) brother of the mother (i.e. uncle) Ahijah (281) brother (i.e. worshipper) of Yah Ahilud (286) brother of one born Ahimelech (288) brother of (the) king Ahinoam (293) brother of pleasantness Ahithophel (302) brother of folly Ahitub (285) brother of goodness Ahlai (304) wishful Ahohite (266) fraternity Aijalon (357) deer-field

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Benaiah (1141) Yah has built Ben-hadad (1130) son of Hadad (Hadad prob. of for. or.) Benjamin (1144) son of (the) right hand Berothite (1307) cypress or cypresslike Bilhah (1090) timid Caleb (3612) a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute; forcible Carmelite (3761) a Karmelite or inhab. of Karmel (the town); a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard, or park); by impl. garden produce Cherethites (3774) life-guardsman Chileab (3609) restraint of (his) father Col-hozeh (3626) every seer Dan (1835) judge David (1732) loving Deborah (1683) from 1696 (in the sense of orderly motion); the bee (from its systematic instincts) Dodai (1737) amatory Dodo (1734) loving Doeg (1673) anxious Ebed-melech (5663) servant of a king Edomite (130) red Eglah (5698) a (female) calf, espec. one nearly grown (i.e. a heifer) Eglon (5700) vituline Egyptians (4714) dual of 4693, the same as 4692 in the sense of a limit; 4692, from 6696; something hemming in, i.e. (obj.) a mound (of besiegers), (abstr.) a siege (fig.) distress; or (subj.) a fastness Elhanan (445) God (is) gracious Eli (5941) lofty Eliab (446) God of (his) father Eliahba (455) God will hide Eliam (463) God of (the) people Eliashib (475) God will restore Eliel (447) God of (his) God Eliezer (461) God of help Elihu (453) God of him Elika (470) God of rejection Eliphal (465) God of judgment Eliphelet (467) God of deliverance Elnaam (493) God (is his) delight Elzabad (443) God has bestowed Ephraim (669) double fruit Esar-haddon (634) of for. der. Ethiopian (3569) prob. of for. or. Ezbai (229) hyssop-like

Ezer (5829) aid Ezra (5834) aid Gadite (1410) to crowd upon, i.e. attack Gareb (1619) scabby Gedaliah (1436) Yah has become great Gilonite (1526) the external abdomen, belly (as the source of the fœtus [comp. 1521]) Gizonite (1493) no definition given Goliath (1555) exile Haggeri (1905) of uncert. (perh. for.) der. Haggith (2294) festive Hammelech (4429) king Hanameel (2601) God has favored Hanan (2605) favor Hananiah (2608) Yah has favored Hararite (2043) a mountaineer Harodite (2733) patrial from a deriv. of 2729 [comp. 5878]; 2729, a prim. root; to shudder with terror; hence to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) Harorite (2033) a mountaineer Hashabiah (2811) Yah has regarded Hashem (2044) wealthy Hazaiah (2382) Yah has seen Hebron (2275) seat of association Heldai (2469) worldliness Heleb (2460) fatness Heled (2466) from an unused root appar. mean. to glide swiftly; life (as a fleeting portion of time); hence the world (as transient) Helez (2503) strength Hepher (2660) a pit or shame Hezekiah (2396) strengthened of Yah Hezion (2383) vision Hezrai/Hezro (2695) inclosure Hiddai (1914) of uncert. der. Hilkiah (2518) portion of Yah Hittite (2850) terror Hophni (2652) perh. pugilist Hoshaiah (1955) Yah has saved Hoshea (1954) deliverer Hothan (2369) seal Hurai (2360) linen-worker Hushathite (2843) haste Hushim (2366) hasters I-chabod (350) (there is) no glory, i.e. inglorious Iddo (5714) timely Igal (3008) avenger Ikkesh (6142) perverse Ilai (5866) elevated Immer (564) talkative

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Imri (566) wordy Ira (5896) wakefulness Irijah* (3376) fearful of Yah Ishi-bibenob (3430) his dwelling (is) in Nob Ishmaiah (3460) Yah will hear Issachar (3485) he will bring a reward Ithmah (3495) orphanage Ithream (3507) excellence of people Ithrite (3505) prop. an overhanging, i.e. (by impl.) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free) Izrahite (3155) cherished Jair (2971) enlightener Jareb (3377) he will contend Jashen (3464) sleepy Jashobeam (3434) people will return Jasiel (3300) made of God Jebusites (2983) trodden, i.e. threshing-place Jedaiel (3043) knowing God Jehiel (3273) carried away of God Jehoiada (3077) Yahveh-known Jehoiakim (3079) Yahveh will raise Jehoshaphat (3092) Yahveh-judged Jephunneh (3312) he will be prepared Jeremiah (3414) Yah will rise Jeribai (3403) contentious Jerimoth (3406) elevations Jeshua (3442) he will save Jesse (3448) extant Jether (3500) prop. an overhanging, i.e. (by impl.) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free) Jeuel (3262) carried away of God Jeush (3266) hasty Jezreelitess (3159) God will sow Joab (3097) Yahveh-fathered Joah (3098) Yahveh-brothered Joahaz (3099) Yahveh-seized Joel (3100) Yahveh (is his) God Joha (3109) Yahveh-revived Johanan (3110) Yahveh-favored Joiarib (3114) Yahveh will contend Jonathan (3129) Yahveh-given Joshaphat (3146) Yahveh-judged Joshaviah (3145) Yahveh-set Josiah (2977) founded of Yah Jozabad (3107) Yahveh-endowed Jucal (3116) potent Judah (3063) celebrated Kemuel (7055) raised of God Kohathites (6955) allied

Leah (3812) weary Levi (3878) attached Maachah/Maachathite (4601/4602) depression (in the sense of being pressed) Maaseiah (4641) work of Yah Machbanai (4344) knoll Machir (4353) salesman Magor-missabib (4036) affright from around Mahalath (4258) sickness Mahalaleel (4111) praise of God Maharai (4121) hasty Mahavite (4233) no definition given Malchiah (4441) king of (i.e. appointed by) Yah Manasseh (4519) causing to forget Maonites (4584) a residence Mattan (4977) a present Mattaniah (4983) gift of Yah Mebunnai (4012) built up Mecherathite (4382) a sword Meholathite (4259) meadow of dancing Merari (4847) bitter Meshullam (4918) allied Mesobaite (4677) found of Yah Mibhar (4006) select, i.e. best Michael (4317) who (is) like God? Michaiah (4321) who (is) like Yah? Mikloth (4732) rods Mishmannah (4925) fatness Mithnite (4981) prob. patrial from an unused noun mean. slenderness Mordecai (4782) of for. der. Moses (4872) drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued Naarai (5293) youthful Nabal (5037) dolt Naharai (5171) snorer Naphtali (5321) my wrestling Nathan (5416) given Neriah (5374) light of Yah Nethinims (5411/5412) one given, i.e. (in the plur. only) the Nethinim, or Temple-servants (as given up to that duty) Netophathite (5200) distillation Obadiah (5662) serving Yah Obed (5744) serving Oded (5752) reiteration Omri (6018) heaping Othniel (6274) force of God Paari (6474) yawning Paltite (6407) delivered Pashur (6583) liberation

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Pedaiah (6305) Yah has ransomed Pelethites (6432) a courier (collect.) or official messenger Pelonite (6397) patron. from an unused name (from 6395) mean. separate Pharez/Perez (6557) a break (lit. or fig.) Philistines (6430) rolling, i.e. migratory Phinehas (6372) mouth of a serpent Pirathonite (6553) chieftancy Poti-pherah (6319) of Eg. der. Rachel (7354) from an unused root mean. to journey; a ewe [the females being the predominant element of a flock] (as a good traveller) Rechab (7394) rider Rehoboam (7346) a people has enlarged Reuben/Reubenite (7205) see ye a son Rimmon (7417) a pomegranate; the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament) Sacar (7940) recompense Satan (7854) an opponent; espec. (with the art. pref.) Satan, the arch-enemy of good Senuah (5574) pointed Shaalbonite (8170) fox-holes Shage (7681) erring Shallum (7967) a requital, i.e. (secure) retribution, (venal) a fee Shama (8091) obedient Shamariah (8114) Yah has guarded Shamhuth (8049) desolation Shammah (8048) ruin; by impl. consternation Shammoth (8054) ruins Shaphan (8227) a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e. prob. the hyrax Sharar (8325) hostile Shelemiah (8018) thank-offering of Yah Shelomith (8019) peacableness Shemaiah (8098) Yah has heard Shephatiah (8203) Yah has judged Shiloni/Shilonites* (7888) tranquil Shimei (8096) famous Shimri (8113) watchful Shiza (7877) of unknown der. Sibbecai (5444) copse-like Simeon (8095) hearing Sisera (5516) of uncert. der.; Smith’s battle-array Tabrimon (2886) pleasing (to) Rimmon Talmai (8526) ridged Tekoite (8621) a trumpet Tizite (8491) no definition given

Ur (218) flame, hence (in the plur.) the East (as being the region of light) Uriah (223) flame of Yah Uthai (5793) succoring Uzzia/Uzziah*(5818) strength of Yah Zabad (2066) giver Zabdiel (2068) gift of God Zaccur (2139) mindful Zadok (6659) just Zalmon (6756) shady Zarhites* (2227) a rising of light Zebadiah (2069) Yah has given Zebulun (2074) habitation Zechariah (2148) Yah has remembered Zedekiah (6667) right of Yah Zelek (6768) fissure Zerah* (2226) a rising of light Zerubbabel (2216) descended of (i.e. from) Babylon, i.e. born there Zeruiah (6870) wounded Zichri (2147) memorable Zidonians (6722) fishery Zilpah (2153) from an unused root appar. mean. to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant dropping Zilthai (6769) shady Ziza (2124) prominence

Places Abel (59) a meadow Abel-beth-maachah (62) meadow of Beth-Maakah (house of depression) Adoraim (115) double mound Adullam (5725) no definition given Adummim (131) red spots Aija (5857) a ruin (as if overturned) Ain (5871) fountain Alemeth (5964) a covering Almon (5960) hidden Ananiah (6055) Yah has covered Anathoth (6068) answers Arabah (6160) from 6150 (in the sense of sterility); a desert; espec. (with the art. pref.) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea Aram (758) the highland Arba (704) four Asher (836) happy Assur (804) appar. from 833 (in the sense of successful); 833 a prim. root; to be straight (used in the widest sense, espec.

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to be level, right, happy); fig. to go forward, be honest, prosper Ataroth-adar (5853) crowns of Addar Avim (5761) overthrow Azekah (5825) tilled Baal-tamar (1193) possessor of (the) palm-tree Bahurim (980) young men Beeroth (881) wells Beersheba (884) well of an oath Beth-arabah (1026) house of the Desert Beth-aven (1007) house of vanity Beth-el (1008) house of God Beth-haccerem (1021) house of the vineyard Beth-hoglah* (1031) house of a partridge Beth-horon (1032) house of hollowness Beth-lehem (1035) house of bread Beth-maachah (1038) house of depression Beth-shemesh (1053) house of (the) sun Beth-zur (1049) house of (the) rock Bithron (1338) the craggy spot Bohan (932) thumb Bozez (949) shining Canaan (3667) humiliated Chephar-haamonai (3726) village of the Ammonite Chephirah (3716) the village Cinneroth (3672) harp-shaped Damascus (1834) of for. or. Dan (1835) judge Debir (1688) the shrine or innermost part of the sanctuary Ebal (5858) bare Eleph (507) prop. the same as 504; hence (an ox’s head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand En-rogel (5883) fountain of a traveller En-shemesh (5885) fountain of the sun Ephrath (672) fruitfulness; another name for Bethlehem Eshtemoa (851) from 8085 (in the sense of obedience); 8085, a prim. root; to hear intelligently (often with impl. of attention, obedience, etc.; caus. to tell, etc.) Etam (5862) hawk-ground Gaash (1608) a quaking Gallim (1554) springs Gath (1661) a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them) Geba/Gaba (1387) a hillock Gedor (1446) inclosure

Geliloth (1553) circles Gerar (1642) a rolling country Gerizim (1630) cut up (i.e. rocky) Gershom (1647) a refugee Geshur (1650) bridge Giah (1520) a fountain Gibeah (1390) a hillock Gibeath (1394) hilliness Gibeon (1391) hilly Gidom (1440) a cutting (i.e. desolation) Gilboa (1533) fountain of ebullition Gilead (1568), prob. from 1567, which means heap of testimony Gittaim (1664) double wine-press Hadid (2307) a peak Hazor (2674) village Hebron (2275) seat of association Helkath-hazzurim (2521) smoothness of the rocks Hilen (2432) fortress Hinnom (2011) prob. of for. or. Ijon (5859) ruin Irpeel (3416) God will heal Israel (3478) he will rule as God Jabesh-gilead (3003) dry/heap of testimony Jattir (3492) redundant Jebus (2982) trodden, i.e. threshing-place Jebusi (2983) trodden, i.e. threshing-place Jericho (3405) its month; or fragrant Jerusalem (3389) founded peaceful Jordan (3383) a descender Juttah (3194) extended Kabzeel (6909) God has gathered Keziz (7104) abrupt Kidron (6939) dusky place Kirjath (7157) city Kirjath-jearim (7157) city of forests, or city of towns Kohath (6955) allied Lachish (3923) from an unused root of uncert. mean. Lebonah (3829) frankincense (from its whiteness or perh. that of its smoke) Libnah (3841) some sort of whitish tree; perh. the storax Lod (3850) from an unused root of uncert. signif. Luz (3870) prob. of for. or.; some kind of nut-tree, perh. the almond Maachah (4601) depression (in the sense of being pressed) Mahanaim (4266) double camp Manahath (4506) rest

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Mareshah (4762) summit Michmash (4363) hidden Migron (4051) precipice Mizpah/Mizpeh (4709) an observatory, espec. for military purposes Moab (4124) from (her [the mother’s]) father Mozah (4681) drained Neballat (5041) foolish secrecy Nephtoah (5318) opened, i.e. a spring Nob (5011) fruit Ono (207) strong Ophni (6078) no definition given Ophrah (6084) female fawn Padan-aram (6307) the table-land of Aram Parah (6511) a heifer Ramah (7414) a height (as seat of idolatry) Rekem (7552) versi-color Rimmon (7417) a pomegranate; the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament) Rogelim (7274) fullers (as tramping the cloth in washing) Seirath (8167) roughness Seneh (5573) thorn Shalim (8171) foxes Shalisha (8031) trebled land Shiloh (7887) tranquil Shoco (7755) from 7753, a prim. root; to entwine, i.e. shut in (for formation, protection or restraint) Shual (7777) a jackal (as a burrower) Shushan (7800) a lily (from its whiteness), as a flower or arch. ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape) Sirah (5626) departure Syria (758) the highland Taralah (8634) a reeling Tekoa (8620) a trumpet Tirzah (8656) delightsomeness Zeboim (6636) gazelles Zelah (6762) a limping or fall (fig.) Zelzah (6766) clear shade Zemaraim (6787) double fleece Zephathah (6859) watch-tower Ziklag (6860) of uncert. der. Ziph (2128) flowing Zobah (6678) a station Zorah (6881) a wasp (as stinging) Zuph (6689) honey-comb

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