17 And the men H376 of Israel, H3478 beside Benjamin, H1144 were numbered H6485 four H702 hundred H3967 thousand H505 men H376 that drew H8025 sword: H2719 all these were men H376 of war. H4421
18 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 arose, H6965 and went up H5927 to the house H1004 of God, H430 H1008 and asked H7592 counsel of God, H430 and said, H559 Which H4310 of us shall go up H5927 first H8462 to the battle H4421 against the children H1121 of Benjamin? H1144 And the LORD H3068 said, H559 Judah H3063 shall go up first. H8462
19 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 rose up H6965 in the morning, H1242 and encamped H2583 against Gibeah. H1390
20 And the men H376 of Israel H3478 went out H3318 to battle H4421 against Benjamin; H1144 and the men H376 of Israel H3478 put themselves in array H6186 to fight H4421 against them at Gibeah. H1390
21 And the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 came forth H3318 out of Gibeah, H1390 and destroyed down H7843 to the ground H776 of the Israelites H3478 that day H3117 twenty H6242 and two H8147 thousand H505 men. H376
22 And the people H5971 the men H376 of Israel H3478 encouraged H2388 themselves, and set their battle H4421 again H3254 in array H6186 in the place H4725 where they put themselves in array H6186 the first H7223 day. H3117
23 (And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 went up H5927 and wept H1058 before H6440 the LORD H3068 until even, H6153 and asked H7592 counsel of the LORD, H3068 saying, H559 Shall I go up H5066 again H3254 to battle H4421 against the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 my brother? H251 And the LORD H3068 said, H559 Go up H5927 against him.)
24 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 came near H7126 against the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 the second H8145 day. H3117
25 And Benjamin H1144 went forth H3318 against H7125 them out of Gibeah H1390 the second H8145 day, H3117 and destroyed down H7843 to the ground H776 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 again eighteen H8083 H6240 thousand H505 men; H376 all these drew H8025 the sword. H2719
26 Then all the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and all the people, H5971 went up, H5927 and came H935 unto the house H1004 of God, H430 H1008 and wept, H1058 and sat H3427 there before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and fasted H6684 that day H3117 until even, H6153 and offered H5927 burnt offerings H5930 and peace offerings H8002 before H6440 the LORD. H3068
27 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 enquired H7592 of the LORD, H3068 (for the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of God H430 was there in those days, H3117
28 And Phinehas, H6372 the son H1121 of Eleazar, H499 the son H1121 of Aaron, H175 stood H5975 before H6440 it in those days,) H3117 saying, H559 Shall I yet again H3254 go out H3318 to battle H4421 against the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 my brother, H251 or shall I cease? H2308 And the LORD H3068 said, H559 Go up; H5927 for to morrow H4279 I will deliver H5414 them into thine hand. H3027
29 And Israel H3478 set H7760 liers in wait H693 round about H5439 Gibeah. H1390
30 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 went up H5927 against the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 on the third H7992 day, H3117 and put themselves in array H6186 against Gibeah, H1390 as at other times. H6471
31 And the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 went out H3318 against H7125 the people, H5971 and were drawn away H5423 from the city; H5892 and they began H2490 to smite H5221 of the people, H5971 and kill, H2491 as at other times, H6471 in the highways, H4546 of which one H259 goeth up H5927 to the house H1004 of God, H430 H1008 and the other H259 to Gibeah H1390 in the field, H7704 about thirty H7970 men H376 of Israel. H3478
32 And the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 said, H559 They are smitten down H5062 before H6440 us, as at the first. H7223 But the children H1121 of Israel H3478 said, H559 Let us flee, H5127 and draw H5423 them from the city H5892 unto the highways. H4546
33 And all the men H376 of Israel H3478 rose up H6965 out of their place, H4725 and put themselves in array H6186 at Baaltamar: H1193 and the liers in wait H693 of Israel H3478 came forth H1518 out of their places, H4725 even out of the meadows H4629 of Gibeah. H1387
34 And there came H935 against H5048 Gibeah H1390 ten H6235 thousand H505 chosen H977 men H376 out of all Israel, H3478 and the battle H4421 was sore: H3513 but they knew H3045 not that evil H7451 was near H5060 them.
35 And the LORD H3068 smote H5062 Benjamin H1144 before H6440 Israel: H3478 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 destroyed H7843 of the Benjamites H1145 that day H3117 twenty H6242 and five H2568 thousand H505 and an hundred H3967 men: H376 all these drew H8025 the sword. H2719
36 So the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 saw H7200 that they were smitten: H5062 for the men H376 of Israel H3478 gave H5414 place H4725 to the Benjamites, H1145 because they trusted H982 unto the liers in wait H693 which they had set H7760 beside Gibeah. H1390
37 And the liers in wait H693 hasted, H2363 and rushed H6584 upon Gibeah; H1390 and the liers in wait H693 drew themselves along, H4900 and smote H5221 all the city H5892 with the edge H6310 of the sword. H2719
38 Now there was an appointed sign H4150 between the men H376 of Israel H3478 and H5973 the liers in wait, H693 that they should make a great H7235 flame H4864 with smoke H6227 rise up H5927 out of the city. H5892
39 And when the men H376 of Israel H3478 retired H2015 in the battle, H4421 Benjamin H1144 began H2490 to smite H5221 and kill H2491 of the men H376 of Israel H3478 about thirty H7970 persons: H376 for they said, H559 Surely H5062 they are smitten down H5062 before H6440 us, as in the first H7223 battle. H4421
40 But when the flame H4864 began H2490 to arise up H5927 out of the city H5892 with a pillar H5982 of smoke, H6227 the Benjamites H1145 looked H6437 behind H310 them, and, behold, the flame H3632 of the city H5892 ascended up H5927 to heaven. H8064
41 And when the men H376 of Israel H3478 turned again, H2015 the men H376 of Benjamin H1144 were amazed: H926 for they saw H7200 that evil H7451 was come H5060 upon them.
42 Therefore they turned H6437 their backs before H6440 the men H376 of Israel H3478 unto the way H1870 of the wilderness; H4057 but the battle H4421 overtook H1692 them; and them which came out of the cities H5892 they destroyed H7843 in the midst H8432 of them.
43 Thus they inclosed H3803 the Benjamites H1145 round about, H3803 and chased H7291 them, and trode them down H1869 with ease H4496 over against H5227 Gibeah H1390 toward the sunrising. H4217 H8121
44 And there fell H5307 of Benjamin H1144 eighteen H8083 H6240 thousand H505 men; H376 all these were men H582 of valour. H2428
45 And they turned H6437 and fled H5127 toward the wilderness H4057 unto the rock H5553 of Rimmon: H7417 and they gleaned H5953 of them in the highways H4546 five H2568 thousand H505 men; H376 and pursued H1692 hard after H310 them unto Gidom, H1440 and slew H5221 two thousand H505 men H376 of them.
46 So that all which fell H5307 that day H3117 of Benjamin H1144 were twenty H6242 and five H2568 thousand H505 men H376 that drew H8025 the sword; H2719 all these were men H582 of valour. H2428
47 But six H8337 hundred H3967 men H376 turned H6437 and fled H5127 to the wilderness H4057 unto the rock H5553 Rimmon, H7417 and abode H3427 in the rock H5553 Rimmon H7417 four H702 months. H2320
48 And the men H376 of Israel H3478 turned again H7725 upon the children H1121 of Benjamin, H1144 and smote H5221 them with the edge H6310 of the sword, H2719 as well the men H4974 of every city, H5892 as H5704 the beast, H929 and all that came to hand: H4672 also they set H7971 on fire H784 all the cities H5892 that they came to. H4672
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Judges 20
Commentary on Judges 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 20
Jud 20:1-7. The Levite, in a General Assembly, Declares His Wrong.
1, 2. all … the congregation was gathered as one man—In consequence of the immense sensation the horrid tragedy of Gibeah had produced, a national assembly was convened, at which "the chief of all the people" from all parts of the land, including the eastern tribes, appeared as delegates.
Mizpeh—the place of convention (for there were other Mizpehs), was in a town situated on the confines of Judah and Benjamin (Jos 15:38; 18:26). Assemblies were frequently held there afterwards (1Sa 7:11; 10:17); and it was but a short distance from Shiloh. The phrase, "unto the Lord," may be taken in its usual sense, as denoting consultation of the oracle. This circumstance, together with the convention being called "the assembly of the people of God," seems to indicate, that amid the excited passions of the nation, those present felt the profound gravity of the occasion and adopted the best means of maintaining a becoming deportment.
3. Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh—Some suppose that Benjamin had been passed over, the crime having been perpetrated within the territory of that tribe [Jud 19:16]; and that, as the concubine's corpse had been divided into twelve pieces [Jud 19:29]—two had been sent to Manasseh, one respectively to the western and eastern divisions. It is more probable that Benjamin had received a formal summons like the other tribes, but chose to treat it with indifference, or haughty disdain.
4-7. the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said—The injured husband gave a brief and unvarnished recital of the tragic outrage, from which it appears that force was used, which he could not resist. His testimony was doubtless corroborated by those of his servant and the old Ephraimite. There was no need of strong or highly colored description to work upon the feelings of the audience. The facts spoke for themselves and produced one common sentiment of detestation and vengeance.
Jud 20:8-17. Their Decree.
8-13. all the people arose as one man—The extraordinary unanimity that prevailed shows, that notwithstanding great disorders had broken out in many parts, the people were sound at the core; and remembering their national covenant with God, they now felt the necessity of wiping out so foul a stain on their character as a people. It was resolved that the inhabitants of Gibeah should be subjected to condign punishment. But the resolutions were conditional. For as the common law of nature and nations requires that an inquiry should be made and satisfaction demanded, before committing an act of hostility or vengeance, messengers were despatched through the whole territory of Benjamin, demanding the immediate surrender or execution of the delinquents. The request was just and reasonable; and by refusing it the Benjamites virtually made themselves a party in the quarrel. It must not be supposed that the people of this tribe were insensible or indifferent to the atrocious character of the crime that had been committed on their soil. But their patriotism or their pride was offended by the hostile demonstration of the other tribes. The passions were inflamed on both sides; but certainly the Benjamites incurred an awful responsibility by the attitude of resistance they assumed.
14-17. the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah—Allowing their valor to be ever so great, nothing but blind passion and unbending obstinacy could have impelled them to take the field against their brethren with such a disparity of numbers.
16. left-handed; every one could sling stones at an hair-breadth, and not miss—The sling was one of the earliest weapons used in war. The Hebrew sling was probably similar to that of the Egyptian, consisting of a leather thong, broad in the middle, with a loop at one end, by which it was firmly held with the hand; the other end terminated in a lash, which was let slip when the stone was thrown. Those skilled in the use of it, as the Benjamites were, could hit the mark with unerring certainty. A good sling could carry its full force to the distance of two hundred yards.
Jud 20:18-28. The Israelites Lose Forty Thousand.
18-28. the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God—This consultation at Shiloh was right. But they ought to have done it at the commencement of their proceedings. Instead of this, all their plans were formed, and never doubting, it would seem, that the war was just and inevitable, the only subject of their inquiry related to the precedency of the tribes—a point which it is likely was discussed in the assembly. Had they asked counsel of God sooner, their expedition would have been conducted on a different principle—most probably by reducing the number of fighting men, as in the case of Gideon's army. As it was, the vast number of volunteers formed an excessive and unwieldy force, unfit for strenuous and united action against a small, compact, and well-directed army. A panic ensued, and the confederate tribes, in two successive engagements, sustained great losses. These repeated disasters (notwithstanding their attack on Benjamin had been divinely authorized) overwhelmed them with shame and sorrow. Led to reflection, they became sensible of their guilt in not repressing their national idolatries, as well as in too proudly relying on their superior numbers and the precipitate rashness of this expedition. Having humbled themselves by prayer and fasting, as well as observed the appointed method of expiating their sins, they were assured of acceptance as well as of victory. The presence and services of Phinehas on this occasion help us to ascertain the chronology thus far, that the date of the occurrence must be fixed shortly after the death of Joshua.
Jud 20:29-48. They Destroy All the Benjamites, Except Six Hundred.
29-48. And Israel set liers-in-wait round about Gibeah—A plan was formed of taking that city by stratagem, similar to that employed in the capture of Ai [Jos 8:9].
33. Baal-tamar—a palm-grove, where Baal was worshipped. The main army of the confederate tribes was drawn up there.
out of the meadows of Gibeah—Hebrew, "the caves of Gibeah"; a hill in which the ambuscades lay hid.
34. there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men—This was a third division, different both from the ambuscade and the army, who were fighting at Baal-tamar. The general account stated in Jud 20:35 is followed by a detailed narrative of the battle, which is continued to the end of the chapter.
45. they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon—Many of the fugitives found refuge in the caves of this rocky mountain, which is situated to the northeast of Beth-el. Such places are still sought as secure retreats in times of danger; and until the method of blowing up rocks by gunpowder became known, a few men could in such caves sustain a siege for months.
46. all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men—On comparing this with Jud 20:35, it will be seen that the loss is stated here in round numbers and is confined only to that of the third day. We must conclude that a thousand had fallen during the two previous engagements, in order to make the aggregate amount given (Jud 20:15).
48. the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword—This frightful vengeance, extending from Gibeah to the whole territory of Benjamin, was executed under the impetuous impulse of highly excited passions. But doubtless the Israelites were only the agents of inflicting the righteous retributions of God; and the memory of this terrible crisis, which led almost to the extermination of a whole tribe, was conducive to the future good of the whole nation.