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12
The men of Ephraim are angry at not being asked to fight against the Ammonites. Jephthah replies that they did not act when they had the chance. The Gileadites defeat the Ephraimites, whose survivors try to flee back over the Jordon. The Gileadites, guarding the fords of the Jordan, asking anyone asking to cross to say the word ‘shibboleth’. If they pronounced it in an Ephraimite way (saying the sh as a s), they were killed. Jephthah judges Israel 6 yrs; he is followed by Ibzan, Elon and Abdon.
13
Philistines rule the Israelites for forty years. An angel appears firstly to the barren wife of the Danite Manoah, then to Manoah himself. The angel says that they will have a son who will deliver Israel. The child will be a Nazarite from the womb – no shaving or drinking alcohol permitted. Manoah is told to make a burnt offering, and the angel ascends in the flame of the alter. Manoah is afraid, but is reassured by his wife. Samson is born.
