Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 2.pdf/56



EPHTHAH, who is said to be a mighty man of valour, and upon whom came the Spirit of the Lord, was solicited by the Israelites to become their captain, and to lead them forth to battle against the Ammonites. He became their leader, went forth and totally subdued the children of Ammon; but before he commenced his warfare, he vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, "If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, then it shall be that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering." Upon his returning home, after subduing the Ammonites, his daughter came out of his house to meet him, with timbrels and dances; and she was his only child. When he saw her, remembering his vow, he said, "Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low; for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back." Upon this, the daughter, rejoicing at her father's conquest, said to him, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; but first let me go for two months to bewail my virginity. This the father allowed, and at the end of that time she returned, "and her father did to her according to his vow, and she knew no man." (v. 39.) It was therefore a custom that "the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament