How can I answer thee, O King? God alone knows the answer. [Renewed silence]
Hananiah
[In great excitement] Cut the loaves in half. Cut them in three, and let that suffice for the day. Too long have they lived riotously, they and their concubines; let them grow lean, now, fighting the Lord’s fight.
Abimelech
My soldiers must not have their food cut down. No man can fight on an empty stomach.
Hananiah
We must all share and share alike, the soldiers as well as the others. Jerusalem is at stake.
Abimelech
My men must have their strength kept up. Let the useless mouths go hungry, the windbags and the prattlers.
Nahum