joining lighted torches to their tails, he sent them into the
fields of the Philistines, by which means the fruits of the
fields perished. Now when the Philistines knew that this was
Samson's doing, and knew also for what cause he did it, they sent
their rulers to Timhath, and burnt his former wife, and her
relations, who had been the occasion of their misfortunes.

8. Now when Samson had slain many of the Philistines in the plain
country, he dwelt at Etam, which is a strong rock of the tribe of
Judah; for the Philistines at that time made an expedition
against that tribe: but the people of Judah said that they did
not act justly with them, in inflicting punishments upon them
while they paid their tribute, and this only on account of
Samson's offenses. They answered, that in case they would not be
blamed themselves, they must deliver up Samson, and put him into
their power. So they being desirous not to be blamed themselves,
came to the rock with three thousand armed men, and complained to
Samson of the bold insults he had made upon the Philistines, who
were men able to bring calamity upon the whole nation of the
Hebrews; and they told him they were come to take him, and to
deliver him up to them, and put him into their power; so they
desired him to bear this willingly. Accordingly, when he had
received assurance from them upon oath, that they would do him no
other harm than only to deliver him into his enemies' hands, he
came down from the rock, and put himself into the power of his
countrymen. Then did they bind him with two cords, and lead him
on, in order to deliver him to the Philistines; and when they
came to a certain place, which is now called the Jaw-bone, on
account of the great action there performed by Samson, though of
old it had no particular name at all, the Philistines, who had