e temple of Astarte, but hung their
bodies on crosses at the walls of the city Bethshun, which is now called
Scythepolls. But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard that they
had dismembered the dead bodies of Saul and of his sons, they deemed it
so horrid a thing to overlook this barbarity, and to suffer them to be
without funeral rites, that the most courageous and hardy among them
[and indeed that city had in it men that were very stout both in body
and mind] journeyed all night, and came to Bethshun, and approached to
the enemy's wall, and taking down the bodies of Saul and of his sons,
they carried them to Jabesh, while the enemy were not able enough nor
bold enough to hinder them, because of their great courage. So the
people of Jabesh wept all in general, and buried their bodies in the
best place of their country, which was named Areurn; and they observed
a public mourning for them seven days, with their wives and children,
beating their breasts, and lamenting the king and his sons, without
either tasting meat or drink [29] [till the evening.]

9. To this his end did Saul come, according to the prophecy of Samuel,
because he disobeyed the commands of God about the Amalekites, and on
the account of his destroying the family of Ahimelech the high priest,
with Ahimelech himself, and the city of the high priests. Now Saul,
when he had reigned eighteen years while Samuel was alive, and after his
death two [and twenty], ended his life in this manner.

BOOK VII. Containing The Interval Of Forty Years.

From The Death Of Saul To The Death Of David.

CHAPTER 1. How David Reigned Over One Tribe At Hebron While The Son Of
Saul Reigned Over The Rest Of The Multitude; And How, In The Civil War
Which Then Arose Asahel And Abner Were Slain.

1. This fight proved to be on the same day whereon David was come back
to Ziklag, after he had overcome the Amalekites. Now when he had been
already two days at Ziklag, there came to him the man who slew Saul,
which was the third day after the fight. He had escaped out of the
battle which the Israelites had with the Philistines, and had his
clothes rent, and ashes upon his head. And when he made his obeisance to
David, he inquired of him whence he came. He replied, from the battle of
the Israelites; and he informed him that the end of it was unfortunate,
many ten thousands of the Israelites having been cut off, and Saul,
together with his sons, slain. He also said that he c