Gruesome Executions
Bible Study Guide
1. Jephthah's Rash Vow
Jephthah's only daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels, was the first to greet him when he returned from his successful campaign against the Ammonites. When she heard of the vow, she asked for two months with her friends to weep for the fact that she would never marry. At the end of two months she returned to her father and he sacrificed her in accordance with his vow.
Judges 11
2. Samson
Baal and Astarte were also Philistine gods, and Isis was an Egyptian god. Samson was a Nazarine and is known for his supernatural strength. When his wife, Delilah, cut his hair, he lost his power. The Philistines then blinded him and brought him to the temple of Dagon to mock him. In the meantime, his hair had regrown, and he asked God for supernatural strength to tear down the temple. Samson pulled down the pillars of the Philistine temple.
Judges 16
3. Martyrdom of Stephen
Stephen was the first believer martyred for the Christian faith. He was dragged out the city and stoned. Saul, later called Paul, watched the coats of the men who stoned him. James was the second martyr-he was put to death by the sword by King Herod.
Acts 6-7
4. Daniel's Accusers
After Daniel survived the Lion's den, King Darius threw the men who had falsely accused David into the lions' den…along with all of their wives and their children. The lions overpowered them before they touched the ground and crushed their bones.
Daniel 6
5. Prince Absalom
Prince Absalom was executed after his failed rebellion. He was renowned for his long and luxurious hair. After losing the battle, he rode his mule under a tree and his head got stuck in the tree. The mule kept going, and he was left hanging from the tree. Joab stabbed him in the heart with three javelins as he hung in the tree.
ll Samuel 18
6. King Saul
King Saul set a gruesome bride price for his daughter, Michal. It was the custom for the groom to provide gifts to the family of his future wife. When Saul learned that Michal was in love with David, Saul set the bride price at 100 Philistine foreskins, in the hope that David would be killed in battle. Because of David's military success, Saul was afraid that David would take the throne from him. David, an overachiever, killed 200 Philistines and brought 200 foreskins.
I Samuel 18
7. The Test
The Gileadites were at war with the Ephramites in a feud between the two Israelite groups. Ephramites could not pronounce the "Sh" sound and said, "Sibboleth" instead of "Shibboleth". The Gileadites killed anyone who said "Sibboleth". In modern usage, a "shibboleth" now references a distiguishing practice of the speaker's origin.
Judges 12