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and spoiled their dead bodies。 The third was Sheba； the son of
Ilus。 Now this man； when； in the wars against the Philistines；
they pitched their camp at a place called Lehi； and when the
Hebrews were again afraid of their army； and did not stay； he
stood still alone； as an army and a body of men； and some of them
he overthrew； and some who were not able to abide his strength
and force he pursued。 These are the works of the hands； and of
fighting； which these three performed。 Now at the time when the
king was once at Jerusalem； and the army of the Philistines came
upon him to fight him； David went up to the top of the citadel；
as we have already said； to inquire of God concerning the battle；
while the enemy's camp lay in the valley that extends to the city
Bethlehem； which is twenty furlongs distant from Jerusalem。 Now
David said to his companions； 〃We have excellent water in my own
city； especially that which is in the pit near the gate；〃
wondering if any one would bring him some of it to drink； but he
said that he would rather have it than a great deal of money。
When these three men heard what he said； they ran away
immediately； and burst through the midst of their enemy's camp；
and came to Bethlehem； and when they had drawn the water； they
returned again through the enemy's camp to the king； insomuch
that the Philistines were so surprised at their boldness and
alacrity； that they were quiet； and did nothing against them； as
if they despised their small number。 But when the water was
brought to the king； he would not drink it； saying； that it was
brought by the danger and the blood of men； and that it was not
proper on that account to drink it。 But he poured it out to God；
and gave him thanks for the salvation of the men。 Next to these
was Abishai； Joab's brother； for he in one day slew six hundred。
The fifth of these was Benaiah； by lineage a priest； for being
challenged by ＇two＇ eminent men in the country of Moab； he
overcame them by his valor； Moreover； there was a man； by nation
an Egyptian； who was of a vast bulk； and challenged him； yet did
he； when he was unarmed； kill him with his own spear； which he
threw at him； for he caught him by force； and took away his
weapons while he was alive and fighting； and slew him with his
own weapons。 One may also add this to the forementioned actions
of the same man； either as the principal of them in alacrity； or
as resembling the rest。 When God sent a snow； there was a lion
who slipped and fell into a certain pit； and because the pit's
mouth was narrow it was evident he would perish； being enclosed
with the snow； so when he saw no way to get out and save himself；
he roared。 When Benaiah heard the wild beast； he went towards
him； and coming at the noise he made； he went down into the mouth
of the pit and smote him； as he struggled； with a stake that lay
there； and immediately slew him。 The other thirty…three were like
these in valor also。
CHAPTER 13。
That When David Had Numbered the People； They Were Punished； and
How the Divine Compassion Restrained That Punishment。
1。 Now king David was desirous to know how many ten thousands
there were of the people； but forgot the commands of Moses； （23）
who told them beforehand； that if the multitude were numbered；
they should pay half a shekel to God for every head。 Accordingly
the king commanded Joab； the captain of his host； to go and
number the whole multitude； but when he said there was no
necessity for such a numeration； he was not persuaded ＇to
countermand it＇； but he enjoined him to make no delay； but to go
about the numbering of the Hebrews immediately。 So Joab took with
him the heads of the tribes； and the scribes； and went over the
country of the Israelites； and took notice how numerous the
multitude were； and returned to Jerusalem to the king； after nine
months and twenty days； and he gave in to the king the number of
the people； without the tribe of Benjamin； for he had not yet
numbered that tribe； no more than the tribe of Levi； for the king
repented of his having sinned against God。 Now the number of the
rest of the Israelites was nine hundred thousand men； who were
able to bear arms and go to war； but the tribe of Judah； by
itself； was four hundred thousand men。
2。 Now when the prophets had signified to David that God was
angry at him； he began to entreat him； and to desire he would be
merciful to him； and forgive his sin。 But God sent Nathan the
prophet to him； to propose to him the election of three things；
that he might choose which he liked best： Whether he would have
famine come upon the country for seven years； or would have a
war； and be subdued three months by his enemies？ or； whether God
should send a pestilence and a distemper upon the Hebrews for
three days？ But as he was fallen to a fatal choice of great
miseries； he was in trouble； and sorely confounded； and when the
prophet had said that he must of necessity make his choice； and
had ordered him to answer quickly； that he might declare what he
had chosen to God； the king reasoned with himself； that in case
he should ask for famine； he would appear to do it for others；
and without danger to himself； since he had a great deal of corn
hoarded up； but to the harm of others； that in case he should
choose to be overcome ＇by his enemies＇ for three months； he would
appear to have chosen war； because he had valiant men about him；
and strong holds； and that therefore he feared nothing therefrom：
so he chose that affliction which is common to kings and to their
subjects； and in which the fear was equal on all sides； and said
this beforehand； that it was much better to fall into the hands
of God； than into those of his enemies。
3。 When the prophet had heard this； he declared it to God； who
thereupon sent a pestilence and a mortality upon the Hebrews； nor
did they die after one and the same manner； nor so that it was
easy to know what the distemper was。 Now the miserable disease
was one indeed； but it carried them off by ten thousand causes
and occasions； which those that were afflicted could not
understand； for one died upon the neck of another； and the
terrible malady seized them before they were aware； and brought
them to their end suddenly； some giving up the ghost immediately
with very great pains and bitter grief； and some were worn away
by their distempers； and had nothing remaining to be buried； but
as soon as ever they fell were entirely macerated； some were
choked； and greatly lamented their case； as being also stricken
with a sudden darkness； some there were who； as they were burying
a relation； fell down dead； without finishing the rites of the
funeral。 Now there perished of this disease； which began with the
morning； and lasted till the hour of dinner； seventy thousand。
Nay； the angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem； as sending
this terrible judgment upon it。 But David had put on sackcloth；
and lay upon the ground； entreating God； and begging that the
distemper might now cease； and that he would be satisfied with
those that had already perished。 And when the king looked up into
the air； and saw the angel carried along thereby into Jerusalem；