4 And the Levite, H3881 H376 the husband H376 of the woman H802 that was slain, H7523 answered H6030 and said, H559 I came H935 into Gibeah H1390 that belongeth to Benjamin, H1144 I and my concubine, H6370 to lodge. H3885
And they turned aside H5493 thither, to go in H935 and to lodge H3885 in Gibeah: H1390 and when he went in, H935 he sat him down H3427 in a street H7339 of the city: H5892 for there was no man H376 that took H622 them into his house H1004 to lodging. H3885 And, behold, there came H935 an old H2205 man H376 from his work H4639 out of the field H7704 at even, H6153 which was also H376 of mount H2022 Ephraim; H669 and he sojourned H1481 in Gibeah: H1390 but the men H582 of the place H4725 were Benjamites. H1145 And when he had lifted up H5375 his eyes, H5869 he saw H7200 a wayfaring H732 man H376 in the street H7339 of the city: H5892 and the old H2205 man H376 said, H559 Whither goest H3212 thou? and whence H370 comest H935 thou? And he said H559 unto him, We are passing H5674 from Bethlehemjudah H1035 H3063 toward the side H3411 of mount H2022 Ephraim; H669 from thence am I: and I went H3212 to Bethlehemjudah, H1035 H3063 but I am now going H1980 to the house H1004 of the LORD; H3068 and there is no man H376 that receiveth H622 me to house. H1004 Yet there is H3426 both straw H8401 and provender H4554 for our asses; H2543 and there is bread H3899 and wine H3196 also for me, and for thy handmaid, H519 and for the young man H5288 which is with thy servants: H5650 there is no want H4270 of any thing. H1697 And the old H2205 man H376 said, H559 Peace H7965 be with thee; howsoever H7535 let all thy wants H4270 lie upon me; only lodge H3885 not in the street. H7339 So he brought H935 him into his house, H1004 and gave provender H1101 unto the asses: H2543 and they washed H7364 their feet, H7272 and did eat H398 and drink. H8354 Now as they were making their hearts H3820 merry, H3190 behold, the men H582 of the city, H5892 certain H582 sons H1121 of Belial, H1100 beset H5437 the house H1004 round about, H5437 and beat H1849 at the door, H1817 and spake H559 to the master H1167 of the house, H1004 the old H2205 man, H376 saying, H559 Bring forth H3318 the man H376 that came H935 into thine house, H1004 that we may know H3045 him. And the man, H376 the master H1167 of the house, H1004 went out H3318 unto them, and said H559 unto them, Nay, H408 my brethren, H251 nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; H7489 seeing H310 that this man H376 is come H935 into mine house, H1004 do H6213 not this folly. H5039 Behold, here is my daughter H1323 a maiden, H1330 and his concubine; H6370 them I will bring out H3318 now, and humble H6031 ye them, and do H6213 with them what seemeth H5869 good H2896 unto you: but unto this man H376 do H6213 not so H2063 vile H5039 a thing. H1697 But the men H582 would H14 not hearken H8085 to him: so the man H376 took H2388 his concubine, H6370 and brought H3318 her forth H2351 unto them; and they knew H3045 her, and abused H5953 her all the night H3915 until the morning: H1242 and when the day H7837 began to spring, H5927 they let her go. H7971 Then came H935 the woman H802 in the dawning H6437 of the day, H1242 and fell down H5307 at the door H6607 of the man's H376 house H1004 where her lord H113 was, till it was light. H216 And her lord H113 rose up H6965 in the morning, H1242 and opened H6605 the doors H1817 of the house, H1004 and went out H3318 to go H3212 his way: H1870 and, behold, the woman H802 his concubine H6370 was fallen down H5307 at the door H6607 of the house, H1004 and her hands H3027 were upon the threshold. H5592 And he said H559 unto her, Up, H6965 and let us be going. H3212 But none answered. H6030 Then the man H376 took H3947 her up upon an ass, H2543 and the man H376 rose up, H6965 and gat H3212 him unto his place. H4725
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.