Chapter Nine

Plot Summary
Christian entered the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and, though it contained many dangers, he was able to proceed through it unharmed. At the end, he passes by Pagan and Pope, who are unable to harm him.

Two spies
Christian leaves the Valley of Humiliation, only to enter another, more difficult, valley, the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Upon entering he meets two men. Their fathers were the spies who returned to Moses with the bad report from the land of Canaan (Num 13:32). They tell him of the awfulness of the valley, and their decision to turn back. Christian chooses to press on.

The Ditch and the swamp
The path at this point was very narrow and proceeded into darkness. It was bordered on the right by a deep ditch into which the blind following the blind fall into, and on the left by a swamp in which one will sink (Ps 69:14).

Entrance to hell
In the middle of the valley, the path passes next to the entrance of hell. Smoke, flames, and hideous noises eminate. His only useful spiritual weapon was "All-prayer", and so he prayed as he continued on. His prayers were strong enough to cause fiends to retreat.

Whispered blasphamies
A wicked one once came behind Christian, and whispered blaspemies. Christian, being confused, believed that these were his own thoughts, which caused him much distress.

Encouragement from Psalm 23 and the help of morning's light
He then thought he heard a voice repeating part of the 23rd Psalm. He was glad because: Once morning broke, Christian was able to look back and see the dangers of the valley more clearly, and they could no longer torment him.
 * others who feared God were also in this valley
 * as God is with them, so must God also be with Christian (though he cannot perceive it)
 * it gave him hope that he would soon have company

The remainder of the valley was even more dangerous, with many pits and snares, but with the sunlight he was able to proceed unharmed.

Pope and Pagan
At the end of the valley lay many corpses of men, even pilgrims. In a cave nearby lived two giants, Pope and Pagan, who had killed many men on the path. Christian was able to proceed past, as Pagan had been dead for a long time, and Pope had become feeble over the years. All Pope was able to say was "You will never heal, till more of you be burned."

Review Questions
- what do the ditch and the swamp represent

- at the entrance to hell, why was Christian's sword ineffectual? What weapon did he use?