112 B.—“To the King my Lord and my Sun thus _Labaya_ thy servant, and the dust of thy feet. At the feet of the King my Lord and my Sun seven times seven times I bow. I have heard the message which the King sent to me; and who am I? and the King will afflict his country before me. (I swear?) I am myself a faithful servant, and I have not sinned, and I have not murmured at my tribute, and I have not murmured at the wishes of my friends (or subjects). Lo! this province my destroyers eat up, and I have had no food. The King my Lord (says) it is my fault. Once more he makes it my fault. Lo! I strive with the city Gezer (_Gazri_)(308) and I complain of the young men. The King one hears will march. I restrained the band of _Milcilu_ and my band desirous to fight. The quarrel of _Milcilu_ against me is relinquished; as to _Ben Zachariah_ the King has sent not to attack. Lo! _Ben Zachariah_ with men of blood was known to us to march, and I marched, and we are conquering him. He gives up _Abukasu_. Once more he has made peace. The King has sent to my band (saying) ‘I order peace.’ I am desirous of peace, since the King has sent to me. Stay thy sword, ponder in thy heart, and is the peace hollow. Nay, the King’s messages have been done.”
59 B. M.—“To the King my Lord and my Sun and my God thus _Yasdata_ a faithful servant to the King, and (he is) dust of the King’s feet. At the feet of the King my Lord and Sun and my God seven times and seven times I bow. Let the King my Lord know this. Lo! all whatsoever things the King my Lord judges for his servant ... him ... the chiefs of the city of _Tabu_(309) have slain a hundred of my oxen, and they have wasted me. And with _Biridia_ I have caused (men) to go forth. Let the King my Lord know this as to his servant.”
This letter shows that the writer lived near _Biridia_, who was attacked by _Labaya_, and that the Hebron hills were inhabited by marauders.
72 B. M.—“Lo! a letter as to destruction of my brethren because of what the Gods of the King our Lord have done. And the people of _Labaya_ are conquered; and so we have ordered _Khaia_(310) that this be borne by him to the King our Lord. And a (company?) of my horse was placed, and the people are sent out after him, and he rides with _Yasdata_ also till I come. And he is gone away to smite him, and now _Yasdata_ is thy servant, and he strives mightily with me in battle array, and has not he ... the rule of the King my Lord, and let there be ... to the King my Lord ... and _Zurata_ is stopping the way of _Labaya_ from the city _Makidda_. And he asked me to gather ships—my fleet, and it will go straight to inform the King; and _Zurata_ marches on him and hinders him; from the city of _’Anana_ which is his. _Zurata_ is damming the marshes. They have contrived a stoppage of the head (waters) from his drinking. Behold what thus I have done for the King my Lord. Lo! possession is possible for me, but it is difficult. My brethren (have become few?) but _Zurata_ delays _Labaya_, and _Zurata_ hinders _Addumemur_ from them. And does not the King my Lord know this?”