Judges

21 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1Under a general captain of the tribe of Juda, assisted by the tribe of Simeon, Israel subdueth diverse cities of the gentiles ( 12. Othoniel taking Cariath Sepher possesseth it, and marrieth Caleb's daughter, obtaining also addition of her dowry) 21. Jebusites yet dwell in Jerusalem with Benjamin, 27. and the Chananites with diverse of the tribes.
2. 2An Angel reciting many benefits of God towards Israel, and their ingratitude, 4. they weep for their faults. 10. After the death of Josue and other ancients of his time, the people often fall, and repenting are delivered from afflictions. 19. but still fall again worse and worse.
3. 3The people associating themselves with Gentiles, against whom they ought to fight, 8. are invaded by foreign kings: 9. but repenting are delivered by Othoniel. 12. Falling again, afflicted, and repenting, 15. are delivered by Aod, 21. secretly killing Eglon their enemy. 31. After him Samgar defendeth Israel against the Philisthims.
4. 4Again the people sinning are oppressed, and crying to God, 4. by direction of Debbora a prophetess, Barac fighteth against Sisara their enemy. 15. Who stricken with fear, and fleeing away, 17. Jahel pretending his safety killeth him in her house.
5. 5The Canticle of Debbora and Barac giving thanks after their victory.
6. 6The people falling again to sin, are oppressed by the Madianites. 12. An Angel appearing to Gedeon, sendeth him to deliver Israel, 17. confirming his mission by miracle. 25. So he first destroyeth Baal's altar. 34. then gathereth an army against Idolaters. 36. and is assured again of God's protection by two miracles in a fleece of wool.
7. 7Gedeon marching with thirty two thousand men, all that are fearful, and that will drink water kneeling are dismissed, and only three hundred that drink little remain. 9. By a Madianite's dream Gedeon is encouraged. 16. By a stratagem the enemy is frighted and overthrown. 24. The Ephraites kill Oreb and Zeb.
8. 8The Ephraimites quarreling because they were not called to the wars, are pacified by Gedeon. 4. The men of Soccoth and Phanuel denying victuals for the camp, Gedeon (in the mean time (10.) overthrowing the enemy) 15. revengeth their reproachful contempt. 18. killeth Zebee and Salmana. 22. refuseth dominion, 24. but receiveth as a gift, the jewels taken in the prey. 27. maketh thereof an Ephod, which turneth to the ruin of his family, 30. Having seventy sons by his wives, and one by a concubine, dieth in good old age. 33. and the people fall again to idolatry.
9. 9Abimelech Gedeon's concubine-son killeth his brethren, 7. only the youngest escapeth, and by a parable expostulateth the injury done to his father's house. 23. Shortly the Sichemites detest Abimelech. 26. Gaal conspireth against him, but is overcome. 50. Finally Abimelech is wounded to death by a woman.
10. 10Thola ruleth in Israel twenty-three years. 3. Jair twenty-two. 6. The people fall again to idolatry, and afflicted by the Philistines, and 8. Ammonites. 10. they cry to God for help, who biddeth them call for help to the gods to whom they have served. 16. but crying still to God, and throwing away their idols, he hath compassion of them.
11. 11Jephte rejected by his brethren, is entreated by the ancients of Galaad to return and fight for them against the Ammonites. 12. With whom he first pleadeth the cause of Israel by just reasons, 16. and long prescription. But they persisting obstinate, he (30. inconsiderately vowing) 32. overthroweth them, 34. and sacrificeth his only daughter.
12. 12Ephraites rising against Jephte, forty-two thousand of them are slain. 8. Abesan is Judge. 11. After him Ahialon. 13. Then Abdon.
13. 13The people fall again to idolatry and are afflicted by the Philisthiims. 3. An Angel foretelleth Manue his wife, that she shall have a son, and that he shall be a Nazarite from his birth. 11. confirmeth the same to Manue. 16. They offer sacrifice to God. 24. The child is born, called Samson, and blessed of God.
14. 14Samson desirous to marry a Philisthime woman 5. by the way killeth a lion. 8. In whose mouth after few days, finding honey, 12. he proposeth thereof a riddle to the Philisthiims for a wager: 15. which revealing to his wife, she telleth it to his adversaries. 19. He killeth and spoileth thirty men, so payeth the wager: and his wife taketh another man.
15. 15Samson tying firebrands to foxes' tails burneth the Philisthiims' corn. 6. they burn his wife and her father. 8. he beateth them and hideth himself. 9. His own countrymen to get peace with the Philisthiims, take and bind him, 14. but he breaketh the cords, and with the jaw bone of an ass killeth a thousand of his enemies. 18. Being ready to die for thirst, he is refreshed with water, from the tooth of the same jaw.
16. 16Samson environed in a city taketh away the gates, and carrieth them on his shoulders into a mountain. 4. is at last deceived by Dalila, 21. his eyes put out, and scornfully abused. 26. but finally God restoring his strength, he striking two pillars the house falleth, and with himself, killeth three thousand Philisthiims.
17. 17Michas and his mother cause a graven, and a molten idol to be made of silver. 5. He maketh one of his sons priest for the idol, 10. and for the same purpose hireth also a Levite.
18. 18First sending spies to discover, 11. six hundred armed men of the tribe of Dan go to seek possessions. 14. By the way they take the idol, and idolatrical priest from Michas. 27. surprise the town of Lais, 30. and there set up idolatry.
19. 19A Levite bringing home-ward his reconciled wife, 15. at Gabaa in the tribe of Benjamin hardly getteth lodging. 25. his wife is there villanously abused by wicked men, and in the morning found dead. 29. whereupon her husband cutteth her body, and sendeth pieces to every tribe of Israel, requiring them to revenge the wicked fact.
20. 20All the other tribes fighting against Benjamin, 13. because they will not punish the malefactors, 21. have the worse, 25. also the second time. 29. But the third time the Benjamites are all slain saving six hundred men.
21. 21The tribe of Benjamin is repaired, 8. by four hundred virgins reserved in the slaughter of Jabes Galaad. 19. and by other virgins taken, that come forth of Silo to dance.