[Illustration: THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH] The Abingdon Religious Education Texts David G. Downey, General Editor GEORGE HERBERT BETTS, Associate Editor Shorter Bible Plays BY RITA BENTON [Illustration] THE ABINGDON PRESS NEW YORK CINCINNATI Copyright, 1922, by RITA BENTON All Rights Reserved The right to produce these plays for religious and educational purposes (without personal profit), is freely granted. All professional acting rights and moving picture rights are fully protected by copyright, and any individual or company desiring to produce these plays for profit must make application to the author and pay a royalty as agreed upon. Printed in the United States of America TO MY MOTHER AND HER "SUNDAY" CHILDREN Unto her little child, a mother saith: "The Lord is everywhere, so have no fear." The child is quieted to have her near. Like unto God a mother comforteth. And for her little child a mother prays: "That he may love me much, but love God more!" But 'tis our mothers that we all adore; And for our mothers, give we God the praise. For childhood clearer sees God's wondrous grace, Sees God's love shining in his mother's face. Copyrighted, 1922, by Rita Benton CONTENTS PAGE EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 5 NOAH'S FLOOD 11 THE PROVING OF ABRAHAM 38 MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES 44 UP, UP FROM EGYPT TO THE PROMISED LAND 53 THE CALL OF SAMUEL 63 DAVID AND GOLIATH 74 THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON (Longer Version) 99 THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON (Shorter Version) 116 THE GOOD SAMARITAN 122 MANGER SERVICE 129 ILLUSTRATIONS THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH _Frontispiece_ _Noah's Flood_ PAGE NOAH'S WIFE 10 A SON OF NOAH 15 WIFE OF NOAH'S SON 20 A SON OF NOAH 24 WIFE OF NOAH'S SON 26 THE ANIMALS LEAVE THE ARK 29 THE RAINBOW 32 _The Proving of Abraham_ ABRAHAM 37 _Moses in the Bulrushes_ MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES 43 THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH NAMES MOSES 49 _Up, Up From Egypt to the Promised Land_ A PAGE OF PHARAOH 52 THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAIL THE PROMISED LAND 59 _The Call of Samuel_ THE CHILD SAMUEL WITH HIS PARENTS 62 THE PRIEST ELI REBUKES HIS DRUNKEN SONS 65 _David and Goliath_ DAVID 73 THE CHALLENGER FOR GOLIATH 93