Judges 20
Overview
20:1 The Levite in a general assembly declares his wrong;
20:8 The decree of the assembly;
20:12 The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites;
20:18 The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand;
20:26 They destroy by a stratagem all the Benjamites, except six hundred. Verse 1 Then all Judges 20:2, 20:8, 20:11, 21:5; Deuteronomy 13:12-18; Joshua 22:12 as one man 1 Samuel 11:7, 11:8; 2 Samuel 19:14; Ezra 3:1; Nehemiah 8:1 from Dan Judges 18:29; 1 Samuel 3:20; 2 Samuel 3:10, 24:2; 1 Chronicles 21:2; 2 Chronicles 30:5 with the Numbers 32:1, 32:40; Joshua 17:1; 2 Samuel 2:9 unto the Judges 20:18, 20:26, 11:11 in Mizpeh 10:17, 11:11; Joshua 15:38, 18:26; 1 Samuel 7:5, 7:6, 10:17; 2 Kings 25:23
It does not appear that the Israelites on this occasion, were summoned by the authority of any one common head, but they came together by the consent and agreement, as it were, of one common heart, fired with a holy zeal for the honour of God and Israel. The place of their meeting was Mizpeh; they gathered together unto the Lord there; for Mizpeh was so very near to Shiloh, that their encampment might very well be supposed to reach from Mizpeh to Shiloh. Shiloh was a small town, and therefore, when there was a general meeting of the people to present themselves before God, they chose Mizpeh for their head quarters, which was the next adjoining city of note; perhaps, because they were not willing to give that trouble to Shiloh, which so great an assembly would occasion; it being the residence of the priests that attended the tabernacle.Reciprocal Genesis 14:14 - Dan; 21:31 - Beersheba; 22:19 - to Beersheba; 26:23 - Beersheba; Joshua 11:3 - land; Judges 21:1 - had sworn; 2 Samuel 17:11 - all Israel; 1 Kings 4:25 - from Dan; 12:29 - Dan; 2 Kings 23:8 - Beersheba; 2 Chronicles 16:4 - Dan; 19:4 - Beersheba; Nehemiah 3:15 - Mizpah; 11:27 - General; Jeremiah 4:15 - a voice; 8:16 - was heard; 40:6 - Mizpah; Hosea 9:9 - Gibeah Verse 2 drew sword Judges 20:15, 20:17, 8:10; 2 Samuel 24:9; 2 Kings 3:26 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 14:38 - chief; 2 Samuel 14:13 - people Verse 3 the children of Benjamin Proverbs 22:3; Matthew 5:25; Luke 12:58, 12:59, 14:31, 14:32 how was Judges 19:22-27 Reciprocal Nehemiah 3:15 - Mizpah Verse 4 the LeviteHeb. the man the LeviteI came Judges 19:15-28 Reciprocal Joshua 18:28 - Gibeath; Hosea 5:8 - Gibeah Verse 5 And the men Judges 19:22 beset Genesis 19:4-8 and my concubine Judges 19:25, 19:26 forcedHeb. humbled, Deuteronomy 22:24; Ezekiel 22:10, 22:11 Reciprocal Joshua 18:28 - Gibeath; Judges 19:28 - But none; 2 Samuel 13:14 - forced her; Hosea 10:9 - from Verse 6 cut her Judges 19:29 folly in Israel 20:10, 19:23; Genesis 34:7; Joshua 7:15; 2 Samuel 13:12, 13:13 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 22:21 - she hath wrought; Ezekiel 22:9 - they commit Verse 7 ye are all Exodus 19:5, 19:6; Deuteronomy 4:6, 14:1, 14:2; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 5:6, 5:10-12 give here Judges 19:30; Joshua 9:14; Proverbs 20:18, 24:6; James 1:5 Reciprocal Judges 19:29 - divided her; 20:18 - asked; Job 34:4 - choose Verse 8 as one man Judges 20:1, 20:11 We will not 21:1, 21:5; Proverbs 21:3; Ecclesiastes 9:10 Reciprocal 2 Kings 3:11 - that we may; Nehemiah 8:1 - as one man Verse 9 by lot against it Joshua 14:2; 1 Samuel 14:41, 14:42; 1 Chronicles 24:5; Nehemiah 11:1; Proverbs 16:33; Jonah 1:7; Acts 1:26
Verse 10 ten thousandor, myriad, Genesis 24:60 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 22:21 - she hath wrought; Judges 20:6 - folly in Israel; 21:1 - had sworn; Nehemiah 11:1 - one of ten; Jonah 1:7 - and let Verse 11 Reciprocal Judges 20:1 - Then all; 20:8 - as one man; 1 Samuel 18:1 - the soul of Jonathan Verse 12 sent men Deuteronomy 13:14, 20:10; Joshua 22:13-16; Matthew 18:15-18; Romans 12:18
Verse 13 deliver 2 Samuel 20:21, 20:22 children of Belial Judges 19:22; Deuteronomy 13:13; 1 Samuel 30:22; 2 Samuel 20:1, 23:6; 1 Kings 21:13; 2 Chronicles 13:7 put away Deuteronomy 17:7, 17:12, 19:19, 21:21, 22:21, 22:24, 24:7; Ecclesiastes 11:10 would not 1 Samuel 2:25; 2 Chronicles 25:16, 25:20; Proverbs 29:1; Hosea 9:9, 10:9; Romans 1:32; Revelation 18:4, 18:5
The conduct of the Israelites was very equitable in this demand; but perhaps the rulers or elders of Gibeah ought previously to have been applied to, to deliver up the criminals to justice. However, the refusal of the Benjamites, and their protection of those who had committed this horrible wickedness, because they were of their own tribe, prove them to have been deeply corrupted, and (all their advantages considered) as ripe for divine vengeance as the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah had been. Confiding in their own valour and military skill, they seen to have first prepared for battle in this unequal contest with such superior numbers.
Verse 14 Numbers 20:20, 21:23; 2 Chronicles 13:13; Job 15:25, 15:26 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 10:26 - Gibeah; Hosea 10:9 - from Verse 15 twenty Judges 20:25, 20:35, 20:46, 20:47; Numbers 26:41 Reciprocal Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred; 20:22 - encouraged Verse 16 lefthandedItter yad yemeeno, "obstructed in his right hand;" so the Chaldee Targum, gemid beedaih deyammeena, contracted or impeded in his right hand." Lev. Clerc observes, that the 700 men left-handed seem therefore to have been made slingers, because they could not use the right hand, which is employed in managing heavier arms; and they could discharge the stones from the sling in a direction against which their opponents were not upon their guard, and thus do the greater execution. Judges 3:15; 1 Chronicles 12:2 sling stonesThe sling was a very ancient warlike instrument; and, in the hands of those who were skilled in the use of it, produced astonishing effects. The inhabitants of the islands of Baleares, now Majorca and Minorca, were the most celebrated slingers of antiquity. They did not permit their children to break their fast, till they had struck down the bread they had to eat from the top of a pole, or some distant eminence. Vegetius tells us, that slingers could in general hit the mark at 600 feet distance. 1 Samuel 17:40, 17:49, 17:50, 25:29; 2 Chronicles 26:14
Verse 17 four hundred Judges 20:2; Numbers 1:46, 26:51; 1 Samuel 11:8, 15:4; 1 Chronicles 21:5; 2 Chronicles 17:14-18 Reciprocal Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred; 20:22 - encouraged; Hosea 10:9 - the battle Verse 18 house of Judges 18:31, 19:18; Joshua 18:1; Joel 1:14 asked Judges 20:7, 20:23, 20:26, 20:27, 1:1; Numbers 27:5, 27:21; Joshua 9:14 Judah Judges 1:1, 1:2; Genesis 49:8-10 Reciprocal Exodus 28:30 - General; Judges 20:1 - unto the; 21:2 - the house; 21:12 - virgins; 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired; 14:18 - Bring hither; 14:37 - Shall I go; 30:8 - inquired; 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire; 2 Kings 3:11 - that we may; Proverbs 20:18 - and Verse 19 rose up Joshua 3:1, 6:12, 7:16
Verse 21 the children Genesis 49:27; Hosea 10:9 destroyed Deuteronomy 23:9; 2 Chronicles 28:10; Psalm 33:16, 73:18, 73:19, 77:19; Ecclesiastes 9:1-3; Jeremiah 12:1 Reciprocal Judges 20:25 - destroyed Verse 22 encouraged Judges 20:15, 20:17; 1 Samuel 30:6; 2 Samuel 11:25; Psalm 64:5
Verse 23 wept Judges 20:26, 20:27; Psalm 78:34-36; Hosea 5:15 And theIt seems most evident that the Israelites did not seek the protection of God. When they "went to the house of God," - Judges 20:18
it was not to enquire concerning the expediency of the war, nor of its success, but which of the tribes should begin the attack, and here the question is, "Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?" Having so much right on their side, they had no doubt of the justice of their cause, and the propriety of their conduct; and having such a superiority of numbers, they had no doubt of success. But God humbled them, and delivered them into the hands of their enemies; and shewed them that the race was not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.Reciprocal Genesis 33:9 - my brother; Exodus 28:30 - General; Numbers 27:21 - he shall; Joshua 7:6 - until the eventide; Judges 21:2 - the house; 21:6 - repented them; 21:12 - virgins; 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired; 14:18 - Bring hither; 30:8 - inquired; 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire; 2 Kings 3:11 - that we may; Proverbs 20:18 - and Verse 25 destroyed Judges 20:21; Genesis 18:25; Job 9:12, 9:13; Psalm 97:2; Romans 2:5, 3:5, 11:33 Reciprocal Genesis 49:27 - a wolf; Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred; 20:15 - twenty Verse 26 all the children Judges 20:18, 20:23 wept 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Ezra 8:21, 9:4, 9:5; Joel 1:14, 2:12-18; Jonah 3:5-10 Reciprocal Leviticus 3:1 - a sacrifice; Numbers 27:21 - he shall; Deuteronomy 23:9 - General; Joshua 7:6 - until the eventide; Judges 21:2 - the house; 2 Samuel 3:35 - till the; 2 Kings 3:11 - that we may; 22:19 - wept; Nehemiah 9:1 - children; Proverbs 20:18 - and Verse 27 inquired Judges 20:18, 20:23; Numbers 27:21 the ark Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 4:3, 4:4; Psalm 78:60, 78:61; Jeremiah 7:12
The loss of two battles at length brought this stiff-necked people to enquire of the Lord; for all the company at this time met at Shiloh, and kept a day of fasting and prayer with great earnestness and solemnity. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1 Reciprocal Exodus 25:22 - and I will; 28:30 - General; Numbers 10:33 - the ark; Deuteronomy 20:2 - General; 1 Samuel 14:18 - Bring hither; 1 Chronicles 15:29 - as the ark; Jeremiah 21:2 - Inquire; John 11:51 - being Verse 28 PhinehasIt is evident, from this mention of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, that these transactions must have taken place not long after the death of Joshua. Numbers 25:7-13; Joshua 22:13, 22:30-32, 24:33 stood Deuteronomy 10:8, 18:5 Shall I yet Joshua 7:7; 1 Samuel 14:37, 23:4-12, 30:8; 2 Samuel 5:19-24, 6:3, 6:7-12; Proverbs 3:5, 3:6; Jeremiah 10:23 Go up Judges 1:2, 7:9; 2 Chronicles 20:17 Reciprocal Exodus 6:25 - Phinehas; 28:30 - General; Deuteronomy 20:2 - General; Joshua 9:14 - asked not; 11:6 - morrow; Judges 1:1 - asked; 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired; 14:18 - Bring hither; 1 Chronicles 6:4 - Phinehas; Ezra 7:5 - Phinehas; John 11:51 - being Verse 29 IsraelThough God had promised them success, they knew they could expect it only by the use of proper means. Hence they used all prudent precaution, and employed all their military skill.liers Judges 20:34; Joshua 8:4; 2 Samuel 5:23 Reciprocal Joshua 8:2 - lay thee; 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire; Nehemiah 4:11 - They shall not Verse 31 drawn Joshua 8:14-16 smite of the people, and kill, as atHeb. smite of the people wounded as at, etcthe house of Godor, Beth-el, Gibeah. Judges 19:13, 19:14; Isaiah 10:29 thirty Joshua 7:5 Reciprocal 8:5 - that we will; 8:16 - drawn away; Judges 20:39 - And when Verse 32 Let us fleeThis was done, not only because they had placed an ambuscade behind Gibeah, which was to enter and burn the city as soon as the Benjamites left it; but it would seem, that the slingers, by being within the city and its fortifications, had great advantage over the Israelites by their slings, when they could not come among them with their swords, unless they got them in the plain country. Joshua 8:15, 8:16 Reciprocal 8:6 - They flee; 2 Samuel 17:9 - some Verse 33 rose up Joshua 8:18-22 put themselvesThere appear to have been three divisions of the Israelitish army: one at Baal-tamar - which was situated, says Eusebius, near Gibeah
a second behind the city in ambush; and a third, who skirmished with the Benjamites before Gibeah.Reciprocal 8:4 - lie in wait; 2 Samuel 17:9 - he is hid; 2 Chronicles 13:14 - looked back Verse 34 ten thousand Judges 20:29 knew not Joshua 8:14; Job 21:13; Proverbs 4:19, 29:6; Ecclesiastes 8:11, 8:12, 9:12; Isaiah 3:10, 3:11; 47:11; Matthew 24:44; Luke 21:34, 21:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Reciprocal Matthew 24:39 - General Verse 35 twenty Judges 20:15, 20:44-46; Job 20:5
Though the numbers of the Israelites were immensely superior to those of Benjamin, though the stratagem was well laid and ingeniously executed, and the battle bravely fought, yet the inspired historian ascribes the victory to the hand of the Lord, as entirely as if he had smitten the Benjamites by a miracle.Reciprocal Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred; 20:46 - twenty; Psalm 68:27 - little Verse 36 for the men Joshua 8:15-29 Reciprocal 8:4 - lie in wait; 8:16 - called together Verse 37 the liers in wait hasted Joshua 8:19 drew themselves alongor, made a long sound with the trumpets, Exodus 19:13; Joshua 6:5
Verse 38 Now thereFrom this verse to the end of the chapter, we have the details of the same operations which are mentioned, in a general way, in the preceding verses of this chapter.signor, time, Genesis 17:21; 2 Kings 4:16 *marg.andHeb. withflameHeb. elevationReciprocal Joel 2:30 - pillars Verse 39 And when Judges 20:31 smite and killHeb. smite the wounded
Verse 40 a pillar Genesis 19:28; Song of Songs 3:6; Joel 2:30; Revelation 19:3 looked Joshua 8:20 flameHeb. whole consumptionReciprocal 2 Kings 3:24 - smote the; 6:20 - opened Verse 41 were amazed Exodus 15:9, 15:10; Isaiah 13:8, 13:9, 33:14; Luke 17:27, 17:28, 21:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 2 Peter 2:12; Revelation 6:15-17, 18:8-10 was come upon themHeb. touched themReciprocal 1 Samuel 13:6 - in a strait Verse 42 the battle Lamentations 1:3; Hosea 9:9, 10:9 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 10:9 - General; 1 Chronicles 19:10 - set against; 1 Thessalonians 5:3 - then Verse 43 enclosed Joshua 8:20-22 with easeor, from Menuchah, etcover againstHeb. unto over againstReciprocal 2 Samuel 10:9 - General; 2 Kings 7:17 - the people trode upon him; 1 Chronicles 19:10 - set against Verse 44 Reciprocal Numbers 1:37 - General; Judges 20:35 - twenty Verse 45 Rimmon Joshua 15:32; 1 Chronicles 6:77; Zechariah 14:10 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 14:2 - a pomegranate Verse 46 twenty Judges 20:15, 20:35 Reciprocal 8:10 - fell an hundred; 1 Samuel 9:21 - a Benjamite Verse 47 six hundred Judges 21:13; Psalm 103:9, 103:10; Isaiah 1:9; Jeremiah 14:7; Lamentations 3:32; Habakkuk 3:2, rock of Rimmon, The rock Rimmon was doubtless a strong place; but it is uncertain where situated. It is probable however, that it was near, and took its name from, the village of Remmon, mentioned by Eusebius, fifteen miles north from Jerusalem. It appears that rocks are still resorted to in the East, as places of security; and some of them are even capable of sustaining a siege. Deut. Lam. Roque says, that "The Grand Seignior, wishing to seize the person of the emir - Fakr-eddin, prince of the Druses
gave orders to the pacha to take him prisoner: he accordingly came in search of him, with a new army, in the district of Chouf, which is part of mount Lebanon, wherein is the village of Gesin, and close to it, the rock which served for a retreat to the emir. It is named in Arabic, Magara Gesin, i.e., the cavern of Gessin, by which name it is famous. The pacha pressed the emir so closely, that this unfortunate prince was obliged to shut himself up in the cleft of a great rock, with a small number of his officers. The pacha besieged him there several months; and was going to blow up the rock by a mine, when the emir capitulated.Reciprocal Judges 20:15 - twenty; 21:14 - sufficed them not; Zechariah 14:10 - Rimmon Verse 48 smote them Deuteronomy 13:15-17; 2 Chronicles 25:13, 28:6-9; Proverbs 18:19 came to handHeb. was foundthey came toHeb. were foundReciprocal Judges 21:23 - repaired