Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/371



MONG the  captive  Jews  in  Babylon  there  was  a man  named Joakim, whose  wife,  Susanna,  was  very  beautiful,  and  feared God. Now Joakim  being  very  rich  and  influential,  it  happened that many  of  his  countrymen  resorted  to  his  house. Among these were two  of  the  ancients  who  had  been  appointed  judges  for that year. The two  old  men  were  considered  by  the  people  as wise  and  virtuous,  but  in  reality  they  were  very  wicked.

Now the  visitors  that  came  to  Joakim  generally  left  at  noon, and then  Susanna  would  walk  forth  into  the  orchard  near  by  to refresh  herself  in  the  shade. The two  old  men  knew  this,  and one day  they  went  into  the  orchard  and  hid  themselves  behind the trees. A little later  Susanna  came  in  and  fastened  the  gate, believing herself  alone. Then the  wicked  old  men  came  forth from their  hiding-place  and  tried  to  make  her  commit  sin.

Susanna was  horrified  at  their  proposal;  but  they  said  that if she  did  not  consent  to  their  wishes,  they  would  publicly  accuse her of  a great  crime. Then Susanna  raised  her  pure  and  beautiful eyes  to  heaven,  sighed  and  said:  “I  am  straitened  on  every side, for  if  I do  this  thing  it  is  death  to  me,  and  if  I do  it not  I shall  not  escape  your  hands. But it  is  better  for  me  to