The Ammonites were very wicked people. They had always been enemies to Israel. Jephthah told the Ammonites that God had commanded that they be destroyed, and had promised to give their possessions to the Israelites; but they would not listen. Then Jephthah made ready to fight against them. But before he went to the battle, he asked God's help, and made this promise: "If Thou wilt give me the victory, then the first thing I meet at the door of my house, when I return in peace, shall be the Lord's; and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering." Then Jephthah went into battle; the Ammonites were conquered, and very many of them killed. But when the battle was ended, Jephthah went home again to Mizpah. Jephthah had one child, a daughter, who was very dear to him. This little daughter loved her father, and when she heard of the victory, she knew she should soon see her dear father. So she waited and watched for him, and when she saw him coming, she ran out to meet him, dancing and singing for joy. Alas! alas! Jephthah rent his clothes and cried, "O my daughter, my daughter! I have made a promise to the Lord, and I cannot break my vow!" But the daughter said, "My father, do not weep; if thou hast made a vow to the Lord, do as thou hast promised. God has been very merciful to us, and I am ready and willing to help bear all thou hast vowed to do." Jephthah thought now of his foolish vow, and O how sorry he was that he had made it! He must give up his dear daughter and never see her again! But when he told her what he had vowed, she asked to be allowed to go upon the mountains to mourn there with her friends. After two months she came home again, and Jephthah did with her as he had vowed. * * * * * Though the virgins of Salem lament, Be the judge and the hero unbent; I have won the great battle for thee, And my father and country are free. When this blood of thy giving has gushed, When the voice that thou lovest is hushed, Let my memory still be thy pride, And forget not I smiled as I died. THE STORY OF SAMSON. Would any strive with Samson for renown, Whose brawny arm can strike most pillars down? Preserve he then unstained in his breast A milk-white conscience; let his soul be blest With simple innocence; this sevenfold shield No dart shall pierce; no sword shall make it yield;-- Well guarded with himself he walks along, When most alone, he stands a thousand strong. After this Jephthah judged Israel six years and then died. And now again the people began to sin against the Lord; and He, to recall them again, gave them up to their enemies, the Philistines, for forty years. This was a long time to be in sorrow and trouble; but did not the Israelites deserve their punishment?