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The Judges, Defenders of an Oppressed Israel

11 The Judges too, every one of them by name,
    whose hearts did not succumb to idolatry
and who did not turn their backs on the Lord
    may their memory be blessed.
12 May their bones send forth new life from the grave,
    and may the names of those illustrious men
    live again in their children.

Samuel, a Prophet for the People[a]

13 Honored among his people and beloved by his Creator,
    pledged in a vow from his mother’s womb,
and consecrated to the Lord in the prophetic office
    was Samuel, the judge who offered sacrifice.
At God’s word, he established the monarchy
    and anointed rulers of his people.

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Footnotes

  1. Wisdom of Ben Sira 46:13 Hero of the holy war (1 Sam 7) before becoming the founder of the royalty and anointing the first two kings of Israel, Samuel remains a great figure. He was the conscience of the fallen monarch Saul (1 Sam 13:10-14; 28:12-19), and he remains the man of God calling out constantly for integrity.