So I will no longer remove before them any of the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died.

The Israelites humiliated Midian; the Midianites’ fighting spirit was broken. The land had rest for forty years during Gideon’s time.

Gaal again said, “Look, men are coming down from the very center of the land. A unit is coming by way of the Oak Tree of the Diviners.”

The Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines for forty years.

The Lord’s messenger did not appear again to Manoah and his wife. After all this happened Manoah realized that the visitor had been the Lord’s messenger.

The Israelite army took heart and once more arranged their battle lines, in the same place where they had taken their positions the day before.

Wherever you die, I will die – and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! Only death will be able to separate me from you!”

So the Philistines were defeated; they did not invade Israel again. The hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

Saul became even more afraid of him. Saul continued to be at odds with David from then on.

Now once again there was war. So David went out to fight the Philistines. He defeated them thoroughly and they ran away from him.

When it was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they prophesied too. So Saul sent messengers a third time, but they also prophesied.

So David asked the Lord once again. But again the Lord replied, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.”

God will severely punish David, if I leave alive until morning even one male from all those who belong to him!”

So Abner spoke again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me! I do not want to strike you to the ground. How then could I show my face in the presence of Joab your brother?”

Then Joab blew the ram’s horn and all the people stopped in their tracks. They stopped chasing Israel and ceased fighting.

God will severely judge Abner if I do not do for David exactly what the Lord has promised him,

Your hands were not bound, and your feet were not put into irons. You fell the way one falls before criminals.” All the people wept over him again.

I will establish a place for my people Israel and settle them there; they will live there and not be disturbed any more. Violent men will not oppress them again, as they did in the beginning

The Lord’s anger again raged against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go count Israel and Judah.”

King Solomon then swore an oath by the Lord, “May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life!