DAN AND BENJAMIN. 99

On all the roads they encountered enemies, who gave no
quarter, so that twenty-five thousand fell that day of the
children of Benjamin. Only, six hundred men escaped,
who took refuge in the rock Rimmon, where they re-
mained four months.

George. So the Israelites conquered them completely
at last ?

Grandfather. The Israelites conquered when they gave
up all confidence in their own strength, and trusted only
in the Lord. Their superior numbers made them too
secure of victory. The Lord shewed them that the battle
is not always to the strong. When they were brought
to see that they could do nothing without help from him,
then “the Lord smote Benjamin before Israel.” |

George. Was that the end of the Ben Jjamite war, grand-
father ?

Grandfather. Justice was satisfied with regard to the
Benjamites ; nothing more was done against them. The
Israelites made a treaty with the six hundred who re-
mained, and shewed kindness to them. But justice re-
quired to be executed upon other offenders. None of the
inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead had gone to assist in the
war against Benjamin. For this neglect of duty they
were all slain—-twelve thousand Israelites marched against
them, and smote them with the edge of the sword.
Jabesh-Gilead was a city in the tribe of Gad, on the east
of the Jordan. It is late now, my children. See, poor
Johnnie is falling asleep ; he must go to bed before the
questions are asked.