Judith's Plan Continues
Judith 14, verse 1. Then Judith said to them, “Hear me, my friends; take this head and hang it at the top of the city wall at daybreak. Judith 14, verse 2. Then when the sun comes up on the horizon, let every able-bodied man take up his weapons and appoint a captain over them. March out of the city as though you were going down to the plain against the outposts of the Assyrians, but do not go down. Judith 14, verse 3. Then they will take up their weapons and head into their camp and awaken the officers of the Assyrian army. They will hurry together to Holofernes’ tent, but they will not find him. Panic will overcome them, and they will run from you. Judith 14, verse 4. Then you and all those who dwell inside the boundaries of Israel shall pursue them and kill them as they flee. Judith 14, verse 5. But before you do these things, call Achior the Ammonite to me so he may look upon and recognize the man who hated the house of Israel and sent him to us as though to his death.” Judith 14, verse 6. So they sent for Achior from Uzziah's house, and when he came he saw the head of Holofernes held in the hand of a man in the assembly of the people. He fell on his face and fainted. Judith 14, verse 7. But when they picked him up, he fell prostrate at the feet of Judith, and bowing before her, said, “Blessed are you in all the tents of Judea. Those who hear your name in every nation will tremble. Judith 14, verse 8. But for now, explain to me everything you did during these days.” Then, in the midst of the people, Judith told him the many things she had done since the day she departed until the time she was speaking with them. Judith 14, verse 9. And as she completed her report, the people shouted loudly, making jubilant noise in the city. Judith 14, verse 10. And when Achior saw all the things the God of Israel had accomplished, he believed in God profoundly, was circumcised, and has been membered with the house of Israel until this day. Judith 14, verse 11. At daybreak, they hung the head of Holofernes on the wall, and every man seized his weapons. They then marched out in companies to the mountain passes. Judith 14, verse 12. And when the Assyrian forces saw them, they notified their captains, and they went in turn to the generals, the captains, and all their officers. Judith 14, verse 13. They went to the tent of Holofernes and said to the man in charge of all his affairs, “Awaken our lord at once, for the slaves dare to come down to wage war against us, to their total destruction.” Judith 14, verse 14. Then Bagoas went in and knocked at the door of the tent, for he presumed Holofernes was sleeping with Judith. Judith 14, verse 15. When there was no answer, he opened the door and entered the bedchamber. He found him sprawled out on the floor, a corpse without a head. Judith 14, verse 16. With a loud voice he cried out, weeping and groaning. Shouting out, he tore his garments. Judith 14, verse 17. He then went to the tent where Judith had lodged. Unable to find her, he ran out to the people and cried out, Judith 14, verse 18. “The slaves deceived us! A single woman of the Hebrews has brought shame upon the house of King Nebuchadnezzar! Come and see—Holofernes is sprawled on the ground and his head is gone.” Judith 14, verse 19. When the Assyrian army officers heard these words, they tore their tunics and were in a state of great turmoil. They cried aloud, shouting in the midst of the camp.