And he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Up, and slay them”.' But the youth drew not his sword, for he feared, because he was yet a youth.'

The men had slain members of his own family. It was therefore required that revenge be obtained through a blood relative, and he wanted his son to have the honour of slaying these great kings. If he did it himself it would be as Judge of Israel, but this was a personal family matter, and he wanted it to be carried out as such.

“But the youth drew not his sword, for he feared, because he was yet a youth.” His son had not experienced battle and killing. And like his father he was not a man of unnecessary cruelty. And he hesitated to draw his sword and act as executioner.

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