Judith

In the days of Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned over the Assyrians in Nineveh, war broke out against Arphaxad, king of the Medes. Following his victory, Nebuchadnezzar sent forth Holofernes, the chief general of his armies, with a massive force to subdue all the western lands that refused to submit to his authority. Holofernes swept across the nations, destroying their sanctuaries and compelling all people to worship Nebuchadnezzar as god.

When Holofernes marched up to the hill country and besieged Bethulia, he demanded to know who the people of Israel were and who led them. Achior, the leader and captain of all the sons of Ammon, stood before Holofernes and recounted the history of the Israelites. Achior warned Holofernes with great boldness that if the Israelites had not sinned against their God, they would be invincible because the Lord protects them; but if they had transgressed against Him, they could be conquered.