Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 20

110 catchwords442 parallels

← Judges | ← Ch 19 | Ch 21 →

Judges 20 . 1 , The Levite in a general assembly declares his wrong; Judges 20 . 8 , The decree of the assembly; Judges 20 . 12 , The Benjamites , being cited , make head against the Israelites; Judges 20 . 18 , The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand; Judges 20 . 26 , They destroy by a stratagem all the Benjamites , except six hundred.

Judges 20:1

Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.

Judges 20:1 · BSB

Then all6 parallels

as one man5 parallels

from Dan6 parallels

with the4 parallels

unto the3 parallels

in Mizpeh8 parallels

  • Judges 10:17
  • Judges 11:11
  • Joshua 15:38
  • Joshua 18:26
  • 1 Samuel 7:5
  • 1 Samuel 7:6
  • 1 Samuel 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

Reciprocal18 parallels

Judges 20:2

The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords.

Judges 20:2 · BSB

drew sword5 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:3

(Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?”

Judges 20:3 · BSB

the children of Benjamin6 parallels

how was1 parallel

Reciprocal1 parallel

Judges 20:4

So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered: “I and my concubine came to Gibeah in Benjamin to spend the night.

Judges 20:4 · BSB

I came1 parallel

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the Levite Heb. the man the Levite

Judges 20:5

And during the night, the men of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house. They intended to kill me, but they abused my concubine, and she died.

Judges 20:5 · BSB

And the men1 parallel

beset1 parallel

and my concubine2 parallels

forced3 parallels

Heb. humbled

Reciprocal4 parallels

Judges 20:6

Then I took my concubine, cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance, because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.

Judges 20:6 · BSB

cut her1 parallel

folly in Israel6 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:7

Behold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.”

Judges 20:7 · BSB

ye are all8 parallels

give here5 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

Judges 20:8

Then all the people stood as one man and said, “Not one of us will return to his tent or to his house.

Judges 20:8 · BSB

as one man2 parallels

We will not4 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:9

Now this is what we will do to Gibeah: We will go against it as the lot dictates.

Judges 20:9 · BSB

by lot against it8 parallels

Judges 20:10

We will take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred out of every thousand, and a thousand out of every ten thousand, to supply provisions for the army when they go to Gibeah in Benjamin to punish them for the atrocity they have committed in Israel.”

Judges 20:10 · BSB

ten thousand1 parallel

or , myriad

Reciprocal5 parallels

Judges 20:11

So all the men of Israel gathered as one man, united against the city.

Judges 20:11 · BSB

Reciprocal3 parallels

Judges 20:12

And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?

Judges 20:12 · BSB

sent men5 parallels

Judges 20:13

Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.

Judges 20:13 · BSB

deliver2 parallels

children of Belial7 parallels

put away8 parallels

would not9 parallels

  • 1 Samuel 2:25
  • 2 Chronicles 25:16
  • 2 Chronicles 25:20
  • Proverbs 29:1
  • Hosea 9:9
  • Hosea 10:9
  • Romans 1:32
  • Revelation 18:4
  • Revelation 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

Judges 20:14

And from their cities they came together at Gibeah to go out and fight against the Israelites.

Judges 20:14 · BSB

the whole verse5 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:15

On that day the Benjamites mobilized 26,000 swordsmen from their cities, in addition to the 700 select men of Gibeah.

Judges 20:15 · BSB

twenty5 parallels

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Judges 20:16

Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing.

Judges 20:16 · BSB

lefthanded2 parallels

Itter 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

sling stones5 parallels

The 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

Judges 20:17

The Israelites, apart from Benjamin, mobilized 400,000 swordsmen, each one an experienced warrior.

Judges 20:17 · BSB

four hundred7 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

Judges 20:18

The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, "Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?" "Judah will be first," the LORD replied.

Judges 20:18 · BSB

house of4 parallels

asked8 parallels

Judah3 parallels

Reciprocal11 parallels

Judges 20:19

The next morning the Israelites set out and camped near Gibeah.

Judges 20:19 · BSB

rose up3 parallels

Judges 20:21

And the Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down 22,000 Israelites on the battlefield that day.

Judges 20:21 · BSB

the children2 parallels

destroyed8 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

Judges 20:22

But the Israelite army took courage and again took their battle positions in the same place where they had arrayed themselves on the first day.

Judges 20:22 · BSB

encouraged5 parallels

Judges 20:23

They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”

Judges 20:23 · BSB

wept4 parallels

And the1 parallel

It 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

Reciprocal13 parallels

Judges 20:25

That same day the Benjamites came out against them from Gibeah and cut down another 18,000 Israelites, all of them armed with swords.

Judges 20:25 · BSB

destroyed8 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

Judges 20:26

Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

Judges 20:26 · BSB

all the children2 parallels

wept8 parallels

Reciprocal10 parallels

Judges 20:27

And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,

Judges 20:27 · BSB

inquired3 parallels

the ark7 parallels

  • Joshua 18:1
  • 1 Samuel 4:3
  • 1 Samuel 4:4
  • Psalm 78:60
  • Psalm 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

Reciprocal8 parallels

Judges 20:28

and Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served before it.) The Israelites asked, "Should we again go out to battle against our brothers the Benjamites, or should we stop?" The LORD answered, "Fight, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand."

Judges 20:28 · BSB

Phinehas4 parallels

It 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

stood2 parallels

Shall I yet10 parallels

Go up3 parallels

Reciprocal11 parallels

Judges 20:29

So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.

Judges 20:29 · BSB

liers3 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

Israel Though 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.

Judges 20:31

The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.

Judges 20:31 · BSB

drawn1 parallel

the house of God3 parallels

or , Beth-el , Gibeah

thirty1 parallel

Reciprocal3 parallels

smite of the people , and kill , as at Heb. smite of the people wounded as at , etc

Judges 20:32

“We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.”

Judges 20:32 · BSB

Let us flee2 parallels

This 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

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:33

So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah.

Judges 20:33 · BSB

rose up1 parallel

Reciprocal3 parallels

put themselves There 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.

Judges 20:34

Then 10,000 select men from all Israel made a frontal assault against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce. But the Benjamites did not realize that disaster was upon them.

Judges 20:34 · BSB

ten thousand1 parallel

knew not14 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

Judges 20:35

The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords.

Judges 20:35 · BSB

twenty3 parallels

  • Judges 20:15
  • Judges 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

Reciprocal3 parallels

Judges 20:36

Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah.

Judges 20:36 · BSB

for the men1 parallel

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:37

The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword.

Judges 20:37 · BSB

the liers in wait hasted1 parallel

drew themselves along2 parallels

or , made a long sound with the trumpets

Judges 20:38

The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city,

Judges 20:38 · BSB

sign2 parallels

or , time

Reciprocal1 parallel

Now there From 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.

and Heb. with

flame Heb. elevation

Judges 20:39

the men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.”

Judges 20:39 · BSB

And when1 parallel

smite and kill Heb. smite the wounded

Judges 20:40

But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.

Judges 20:40 · BSB

a pillar4 parallels

looked1 parallel

Reciprocal2 parallels

flame Heb. whole consumption

Judges 20:41

Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them.

Judges 20:41 · BSB

were amazed12 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

was come upon them Heb. touched them

Judges 20:42

So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there.

Judges 20:42 · BSB

the battle3 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

Judges 20:43

They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.

Judges 20:43 · BSB

enclosed1 parallel

Reciprocal3 parallels

with ease or , from Menuchah , etc

over against Heb. unto over against

Judges 20:44

And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor.

Judges 20:44 · BSB

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:45

Then the Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads. And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more.

Judges 20:45 · BSB

Rimmon3 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

Judges 20:46

That day 25,000 Benjamite swordsmen fell, all men of valor.

Judges 20:46 · BSB

twenty2 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

Judges 20:47

But 600 men turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months.

Judges 20:47 · BSB

six hundred7 parallels

  • Judges 21:13
  • Psalm 103:9
  • Psalm 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

Reciprocal3 parallels

Judges 20:48

And the men of Israel turned back against the other Benjamites and put to the sword all the cities, including the animals and everything else they found. And they burned down all the cities in their path.

Judges 20:48 · BSB

smote them4 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

came to hand Heb. was found

they came to Heb. were found

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