Bible Points of Interest:' JUDITH' (The Biblical Beauty and the Beast)by Milton Bowser on 12/11/07
From: Sitare, Ltd. Publishers since 1961 DLV MAGAZINE; BIBLE POINTS OF INTEREST BLOG: JUDITH (The Biblical version of beauty and the beast) From the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, Douay-Challoner Text
Arphaxad, King of the Medes was defeated by Nabuchadonosor, King of the Assyrians.After the defeat of his rival the new king sent messengers to all surrounding kingdoms to report the defeat of Arphaxad by the mighty and powerful army of Nabuchadonosor.
The new conquer was dismayed and disgusted by the rejection of his neighboring kingdoms. A high level meeting was called and it was agreed that these countries that did not pay homage to the new king should be conquered.
A massive army was formed under the leadership of Holofernes, the general of the Assyrians. It consisted of:120,000 fighting men on foot.12,00 archers, horsemen, Provisions to feed the army in abundance Herds of oxen and sheep without number, and Gold and Silver from the king's house in abundance.
And Holofernes went forth with his army which covered the earth like locusts. He conquered kingdom after kingdom. Soon leaders from many countries came to him and pleaded for mercy offering him all their riches, women and children They greeted him with flowers, music,dancing, and feasts. He ravaged their cities after accepting their hospitality and killed many of them who had tried to surrender. Then the General pressed all young fighting men from the countries defeated into his army. Finally he approached the children of Israel in the land of Juda.
The Hebrews having heard all of the horrible things that Holofernes had done were frightened that their land and temple would be destroyed by his massive army. They prayed and began mourning. The Chief priest of the land, Eliachim, sent to all people to pray and prepare for war, to occupy all mountain tops leading to Jerusalem and do everything to slow the invaders advance.
As Holofernes approached the land of the Israelites, rocks were thrown down on the troops as they passed between mountains and slingers killed enough soldiers causing the army to retreat.
The General called in the remaining princes of Moab and Ammon, and asked who these Hebrews were and what was their history. Achoir,the Captain of all the children of Ammon, told of the history of the Hebrews and their defeat of the Egyptians and others when they reached the promised land. Also that if their God was angry they could be defeated, but if they were true to their God they could not be defeated.
The leaders of the army were furious and demanded that Achoir be killed stating that the army of Nebuchadonosor could be defeated by those with no knowledge of war and no superior army. Holofernes was also livid but he held his peace and said to Achoir: Since you think the Hebrews could possibly defeat the army of Holofernes, I am going to send you to the Hebrews and when we conquer them you will also be killed with them. Achoir's face paled and he was sent to the children of Israel.
As the soldiers approached the mountains with Achoir, the slingers terrible accuracy caused the soldiers to tie Achoir hands and feet to a tree and retreat to their camp.
The Hebrews, after seeing the soldiers leave descended and untied Achoir and brought him to their elders where he related the events leading to his arrival. The Hebrews were downcast and afraid. They welcomed Achoir and he dined with them. They all prayed for salvation for themselves and Achoir, whom they now considered one of them.
When the siege against the Hebrews began, Holofernes learned that there were wells near the city. They had observed the Hebrews secretly obtaining water at night. After shutting off the aqueduct he also placed soldiers around other wells distant from their fortified city of Bethulia.
In time there was no water in the fortified city. A meeting was held and they agreed that if no salvation came within five days they would surrender to Holofernes rather than die of thirst as there was no water