138 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

and thou art one of them that trouble me; for I
have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go
back.” My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth
unto the Lord,” said Jephthah’s daughter, “do to me
according to that which hath proceeded out of thy
mouth ; for as much as the Lord hath taken vengeance
for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Am-
mon.” She only asked that she might be allowed two
months to bewail her virginity, on the mountains, with
her companions. That time was given to her, and at
the end of two months her father did with her according
to his vow.

Marianne. Offered up his daughter for a burnt-offer-
ing! surely that could not be right ?

Grandfather. It is not generally thought that he put
his daughter to death, but that he consecrated her to the
service of the Lord; bound her to live like a nun,
spending all her life in seclusion.

Marianne. But surely that could not be all, grand-
father ; there was no need for Jephthah and his daughter
making so much lamentation about it.

Grandfather. It was promised to the Israelites that
from them the Messiah was to descend ; therefore it was
looked on as a thing very much to be lamented when a
man died without leaving any descendants, and this
daughter of Jephthah’s was the only child he had. How-
ever, there is difference of opinion on this subject;
but it is a matter, the settlement of which does not much
concern us. From the example of Jephthah’s daughter