50 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

George. They ought to have picked out braver men
to go; it was very stupid to send three thousand cowards.

Grandfather. The three thousand men were not to
blame; there was a reason for their arms not being suc-
cessful at that time.

Marianne. But was it not very strange, grandfather,
when the Lord had promised that all the land was to
be theirs ?

Grandfather. It had not been promised that in each
conflict with the enemy success was invariably to attend
the Israelites, although we have reason to believe that
such would have been the case if the people had not
displeased the Lord; for, as I said before, there was a
reason for this defeat.

Marianne. What had they done wrong?

Grandfather. You shall hear. Joshua was greatly
grieved. He rent his clothes, and put dust on his head,
which, you know, are in the East symptoms of mourning
and humiliation. The leader of Israel, along with the
elders of Israel, lay on their faces before the ark until
the evening. Joshua lamented and prayed ; God heard
and answered. We are taught by this that when trouble
comes upon us, if we complain to God earnestly, he will
hear and answer us. The Lord told Joshua that the
reason of the Israelites’ disgrace was that they had
transgressed ; they had taken of the accursed thing ;
had stolen and hidden it. ‘ Neither will I be with you
any more,” said the Lord, “ except ye destroy the ac-
cursed from among you.” The Lord then directed Joshua