When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Sha'ul answered, *Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, *Tell these things to Ya`akov, and to the brothers.* Then he departed, and went to another place.
They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
When he had given him permission, Sha'ul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
If one man sin against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding, they didn't listen to the voice of their father, because the LORD was minded to kill them.