How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The Israelites sent tribute by him to King Eglon of Moab. Ehud came to him, while he was sitting alone in his cool roof-chamber, and said, "I have a message from God for you." So he rose from his seat. Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into Eglon's belly […]. (NRSV 3:15, 20-21)
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. 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. And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly […]. (KJV 3:15, 20-21)
This is the first instance of non-military violence in Judges. Is it a good start? Does it strike you as odd that the assassination of a physically disadvantaged victim is so celebrated? How could this be symbolic of God triumphing over his enemies?
Quote #2
But Jael wife of Heber took a tent-peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, until it went down into the ground—he was lying fast asleep from weariness—and he died. (NRSV 4:21)
Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. (KJV 4:21)
The fact that she doesn't just kill Sisera, but pounds the nail all the way into the ground, is interesting. We know that Jael is justified by God, but what were her motivations? How about her emotions? Is she a cold-blooded killer, or was this terrifying for her?
Quote #3
He went to his father's house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone; but Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, for he hid himself. (NRSV 9:5)
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. (KJV 9:5)
What symbolism can you find in Abimelech's murder of Gideon's (Jerubbaal is another name for Gideon) other sons? What about the escape of the youngest son?