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looked upon him； for they saw already that he was coming apace
from his eminence。 As soon as he was come； he told them that God
would deliver them from their present distress； and had granted
them an unexpected favor； and informed them； that a river should
run for their sakes out of the rock。 But they were amazed at that
hearing； supposing they were of necessity to cut the rock in
pieces； now they were distressed by their thirst and by their
journey； while Moses only smiting the rock with his rod； opened a
passage； and out of it burst water； and that in great abundance；
and very clear。 But they were astonished at this wonderful
effect； and； as it were； quenched their thirst by the very sight
of it。 So they drank this pleasant； this sweet water； and such it
seemed to be； as might well be expected where God was the donor。
They were also in admiration how Moses was honored by God； and
they made grateful returns of sacrifices to God for his
providence towards them。 Now that Scripture； which is laid up in
the temple； （6） informs us； how God foretold to Moses； that water
timid in this manner be derived out of the rock。'
CHAPTER 2。
How The Amalekites And The Neighbouring Nations； Made War With
The Hebrews And Were Beaten And Lost A Great Part Of Their Army。
1。 The name of the Hebrews began already to be every where
renowned； and rumors about them ran abroad。 This made the
inhabitants of those countries to be in no small fear。
Accordingly they sent ambassadors to one another； and exhorted
one another to defend themselves； and to endeavor to destroy
these men。 Those that induced the rest to do so； were such as
inhabited Gobolitis and Petra。 They were called Amalekites； and
were the most warlike of the nations that lived thereabout； and
whose kings exhorted one another； and their neighbors； to go to
this war against the Hebrews； telling them that an army of
strangers； and such a one as had run away from slavery under the
Egyptians； lay in wait to ruin them； which army they were not； in
common prudence and regard to their own safety； to overlook； but
to crush them before they gather strength； and come to be in
prosperity： and perhaps attack them first in a hostile manner； as
presuming upon our indolence in not attacking them before； and
that we ought to avenge ourselves of them for what they have done
in the wilderness； but that this cannot be so well done when they
have once laid their hands on our cities and our goods： that
those who endeavor to crush a power in its first rise； are wiser
than those that endeavor to put a stop to its progress when it is
become formidable； for these last seem to be angry only at the
flourishing of others； but the former do not leave any room for
their enemies to become troublesome to them。 After they had sent
such embassages to the neighboring nations； and among one
another； they resolved to attack the Hebrews in battle。
2。 These proceedings of the people of those countries occasioned
perplexity and trouble to Moses； who expected no such warlike
preparations。 And when these nations were ready to fight； and the
multitude of the Hebrews were obliged to try the fortune of war；
they were in a mighty disorder； and in want of all necessaries；
and yet were to make war with men who were thoroughly well
prepared for it。 Then therefore it was that Moses began to
encourage them； and to exhort them to have a good heart； and rely
on God's assistance by which they had been state of freedom and
to hope for victory over those who were ready to fight with them；
in order to deprive them of that blessing： that they were to
suppose their own army to be numerous； wanting nothing； neither
weapons； nor money； nor provisions； nor such other conveniences
as； when men are in possession of； they fight undauntedly； and
that they are to judge themselves to have all these advantages in
the Divine assistance。 They are also to suppose the enemy's army
to be small； unarmed； weak； and such as want those conveniences
which they know must be wanted； when it is God's will that they
shall be beaten； and how valuable God's assistance is； they had
experienced in abundance of trials； and those such as were more
terrible than war； for that is only against men； but these were
against famine and thirst； things indeed that are in their own
nature insuperable； as also against mountains； and that sea which
afforded them no way for escaping； yet had all these difficulties
been conquered by God's gracious kindness to them。 So he exhorted
them to be courageous at this time； and to look upon their entire
prosperity to depend on the present conquest of their enemies。
3。 And with these words did Moses encourage the multitude； who
then called together the princes of their tribes； and their chief
men； both separately and conjointly。 The young men he charged to
obey their elders； and the elders to hearken to their leader。 So
the people were elevated in their minds； and ready to try their
fortune in battle； and hoped to be thereby at length delivered
from all their miseries： nay； they desired that Moses would
immediately lead them against their enemies without the least
delay； that no backwardness might be a hindrance to their present
resolution。 So Moses sorted all that were fit for war into
different troops； and set Joshua； the son of Nun； of the tribe of
Ephraim； over them； one that was of great courage； and patient to
undergo labors； of great abilities to understand； and to speak
what was proper； and very serious in the worship of God； and
indeed made like another Moses； a teacher of piety towards God。
He also appointed a small party of the armed men to be near the
water； and to take care of the children； and the women； and of
the entire camp。 So that whole night they prepared themselves for
the battle； they took their weapons； if any of them had such as
were well made； and attended to their commanders as ready to rush
forth to the battle as soon as Moses should give the word of
command。 Moses also kept awake； teaching Joshua after what manner
he should order his camp。 But when the day began； Moses called
for Joshua again； and exhorted him to approve himself in deeds
such a one as a his reputation made men expect from him； and to
gain glory by the present expedition； in the opinion of those
under him； for his exploits in this battle。 He also gave a
particular exhortation to the principal men of the Hebrews； and
encouraged the whole army as it stood armed before him。 And when
he had thus animated the army； both by his words and works； and
prepared every thing； he retired to a mountain； and committed the
army to God and to Joshua。
4。 So the armies joined battle； and it came to a close fight；
hand to hand； both sides showing great alacrity； and encouraging
one another。 And indeed while Moses stretched out his hand
towards heaven （7） the Hebrews were too hard for the Amalekites：
but Moses not being able to sustain his hands thus stretched out；
（for as often as he let down his hands； so often were his own
people worsted；） he bade his brother Aaron； and Hur their sister
Miriam's husband； to stand on each side of him； and take hold of
his hands； and not permit his weariness to prevent it； but to
assist him in the extension of his hands。 When this was done； the
Hebrews conquered the Amalekites by main force； and indeed they
had all perished； unless the approach of the night had obliged
the Hebrews to desist from killing any more。 So our forefathers
obtained a most signal and most seasonable victory； for they not
only overcame those that fought against them； but terrified also
the neighboring nations； and got great and splendid advantages；
which they obtained of their enemies by their hard pains in this
battle： for when they had taken the enemy's camp； they got ready
booty for the public； and for their own private families； whereas
till then they had not any sort of plenty； of even necessary
food。 The forementioned battle； when they had once got it； was
also the occasion of their prosperity； not only for the present；
but for the future ages also； for they not only made slaves of
the bodies of their enemies； but subdued their minds also； and
after this battle； became terrible to all that dwelt round about
them。 Moreover； they acquired a vast quantity of riches； for a
great deal of silver and gold was left in the enemy's camp； as
also brazen vessels； which they made common use of in their
families； many utensils also that were embroidered there were of
both sorts； that is； of what were weaved； and what were the
ornaments of their armor； and other things that served for use in
the family； and for the furniture of their rooms； they got also
the prey of their cattle； and of whatsoever uses to follow camps；
when they remove from one place to another。 So the Hebrews now
valued themselves upon their courage； and claimed great merit for
their valor； and they perpetually inured themselves to take
pains； by which they deemed every difficulty might be surmounted。
Such were the consequences of this battle。
5。 On the next day； Moses stripped the dead bodies of their
enemies； and gathered together the armor of those that were fled；
an