292 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

children. When they were returning home with the
captives and the spoil, they were met by the prophet
Oded, who told them that it was not because they de-
served the victory that they had got it, but because the
Lord was angry with Judah. “ And now,” he said, “ ye
purposed to keep under the children of Judah and Jeru-
salem, for bondmen and bondwomen unto you, but are
there not with you, even with you, sins against the
Lord your God ? Now hear me, therefore, and deliver the
captives again which ye have taken captive of your
brethren, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.”
The princes of Israel hearkened to the word of the
prophet, and forbade the soldiers to keep the captives
they had taken. They knew they had sins enough
already to answer for. The armed men murmured not,
but gave up the captives by whom they had expected
to enrich themselves. They obeyed their conscience
against their interest, and in that shewed greater heroism
than in winning twenty battles.

George. I don’t see that.

Grandfather. It is a far nobler triumph, my boy, to
be able to conquer our own inclinations than to overcome
those who are opposed to us.

Johnnie. Did they send the women and children
home again ?

Grandfather. They first fed and clothed them—then
conveyed them as far as Jericho, provided asses for
those who were unable for so long a journey on foot,