37to offer the first fruits of their crops, so He commanded them to offer the first fruits—the spoils—of their enemies. Moreover, He also disciplines them through these laws so that they might observe the necessary laws. Yet, showing His power to them, He caused them to take the first city without weapons or engines of war, and He brought it down by the mere sound of trumpets. This was so that if, when positioned in battle, they were defeated, they would know that they themselves had provided the causes for their own slaughter by disregarding the divine laws. A
Chapter VIII
V. 2. And you shall take for yourself the spoils of the livestock.
Because it was not appropriate, as it was in Jericho, for all things to be consigned to anathema.
V. 26. And Jesus stretched out his javelin and his hand.
For Jesus held his hand stretched out so that those who were observing, who lay in ambush, might seize the city.ORIGEN’S ANNOTATIONS ON JUDGES
(From the Gallandian Library.)Chapter XV
C V. 19. And God broke the wound that was in the jawbone, and water came out of it.
Instead of: He broke the ground with the blow of the jawbone, and waters came out.Chapter XX
V. 21. And the sons of Benjamin went out.
For what reason are they defeated, when they went out justly? Clearly because of preceding faults. And the Psalm says, *When I shall receive the time, I will judge justice* (Ps. LXXIV, 3). Then, after their first and second defeat, wrath passed to those who had done the wrong, and they gained a just victory. D Now it is worth marveling at the multitude of the Israelites, that, having justly undertaken war against the Benjaminites and having been defeated, they did not think anything evil against God, but rather did not cease weeping until they took vengeance upon the wrongdoers.
Not complaining against God, they said: But this is enough. They prayed to learn the manner. That which is written: *Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he shall eat, and in the evening he shall distribute the food* (Gen. XLIX, 27), is fulfilled here. For having been victorious at first, in the end he became food for the people.