Verse 1

Introduction

Overview

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.

Then all . Judges 20 . 2 , Judges 20 . 8 , Judges 20 . 11 , Judges 21 . 5 , Deuteronomy 13 . 12-18 , Joshua 22 . 12

as one man . 1 Samuel 11 . 7 , 1 Samuel 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 , 2 Samuel 24 . 2 , 1 Chronicles 21 . 2 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 5

with the . Numbers 32 . 1 , Numbers 32 . 40 , Joshua 17 . 1 , 2 Samuel 2 . 9

unto the . Judges 20 . 18 , Judges 20 . 26 , Judges 11 . 11

in Mizpeh . 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.

Reciprocal . Genesis 14 . 14 . Dan Genesis 21 . 31 . Beersheba Genesis 22 . 19 . to Beersheba Genesis 26 . 23 . Beersheba Joshua 11 . 3 . land Judges 21 . 1 . had sworn 2 Samuel 17 . 11 . all Israel 1 Kings 4 . 25 . from Dan 1 Kings 12 . 29 . Dan 2 Kings 23 . 8 . Beersheba 2 Chronicles 16 . 4 . Dan 2 Chronicles 19 . 4 . Beersheba Nehemiah 3 . 15 . Mizpah Nehemiah 11 . 27 . General Jeremiah 4 . 15 . a voice Jeremiah 8 . 16 . was heard Jeremiah 40 . 6 . Mizpah Hosea 9 . 9 . Gibeah

Verse 2

drew sword . Judges 20 . 15 , Judges 20 . 17 , Judges 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 , Luke 12 . 59 , Luke 14 . 31 , Luke 14 . 32

how was . Judges 19 . 22-27

Reciprocal . Nehemiah 3 . 15 . Mizpah

Verse 4

the Levite . Heb. the man the Levite

I 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 , Judges 19 . 26

forced . Heb. humbled , Deuteronomy 22 . 24 , Ezekiel 22 . 10 , Ezekiel 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 . Judges 20 . 10 , Judges 19 . 23 , Genesis 34 . 7 , Joshua 7 . 15 , 2 Samuel 13 . 12 , 2 Samuel 13 . 13

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 22 . 21 . she hath wrought Ezekiel 22 . 9 . they commit

Verse 7

ye are all . Exodus 19 . 5 , Exodus 19 . 6 , Deuteronomy 4 . 6 , Deuteronomy 14 . 1 , Deuteronomy 14 . 2 , 1 Corinthians 5 . 1 , 1 Corinthians 5 . 6 , 1 Corinthians 5 . 10-12

give here . Judges 19 . 30 , Joshua 9 . 14 , Proverbs 20 . 18 , Proverbs 24 . 6 , James 1 . 5

Reciprocal . Judges 19 . 29 . divided her Judges 20 . 18 . asked Job 34 . 4 . choose

Verse 8

as one man . Judges 20 . 1 , Judges 20 . 11

We will not . Judges 21 . 1 , Judges 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 , 1 Samuel 14 . 42 , 1 Chronicles 24 . 5 , Nehemiah 11 . 1 , Proverbs 16 . 33 , Jonah 1 . 7 , Acts 1 . 26

Verse 10

ten thousand . or , myriad , Genesis 24 . 60

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 22 . 21 . she hath wrought Judges 20 . 6 . folly in Israel Judges 21 . 1 . had sworn Nehemiah 11 . 1 . one of ten Jonah 1 . 7 . and let

Verse 11

Reciprocal . Judges 20 . 1 . Then all Judges 20 . 8 . as one man 1 Samuel 18 . 1 . the soul of Jonathan

Verse 12

sent men . Deuteronomy 13 . 14 , Deuteronomy 20 . 10 , Joshua 22 . 13-16 , Matthew 18 . 15-18 , Romans 12 . 18

Verse 13

deliver . 2 Samuel 20 . 21 , 2 Samuel 20 . 22

children of Belial . Judges 19 . 22 , Deuteronomy 13 . 13 , 1 Samuel 30 . 22 , 2 Samuel 20 . 1 , 2 Samuel 23 . 6 , 1 Kings 21 . 13 , 2 Chronicles 13 . 7

put away . Deuteronomy 17 . 7 , Deuteronomy 17 . 12 , Deuteronomy 19 . 19 , Deuteronomy 21 . 21 , Deuteronomy 22 . 21 , Deuteronomy 22 . 24 , Deuteronomy 24 . 7 , Ecclesiastes 11 . 10

would not . 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.

Verse 14

Numbers 20 . 20 , Numbers 21 . 23 , 2 Chronicles 13 . 13 , Job 15 . 25 , Job 15 . 26

Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 10 . 26 . Gibeah Hosea 10 . 9 . from

Verse 15

twenty . Judges 20 . 25 , Judges 20 . 35 , Judges 20 . 46 , Judges 20 . 47 , Numbers 26 . 41

Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 10 . fell an hundred Judges 20 . 22 . encouraged

Verse 16

lefthanded . 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. Judges 3 . 15 , 1 Chronicles 12 . 2

sling stones . 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. 1 Samuel 17 . 40 , 1 Samuel 17 . 49 , 1 Samuel 17 . 50 , 1 Samuel 25 . 29 , 2 Chronicles 26 . 14

Verse 17

four hundred . Judges 20 . 2 , Numbers 1 . 46 , Numbers 26 . 51 , 1 Samuel 11 . 8 , 1 Samuel 15 . 4 , 1 Chronicles 21 . 5 , 2 Chronicles 17 . 14-18

Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 10 . fell an hundred Judges 20 . 22 . encouraged Hosea 10 . 9 . the battle

Reciprocal . Judges 20 . 25 . destroyed

Verse 22

encouraged . Judges 20 . 15 , Judges 20 . 17 , 1 Samuel 30 . 6 , 2 Samuel 11 . 25 , Psalm 64 . 5

Verse 23

wept . Judges 20 . 26 , Judges 20 . 27 , Psalm 78 . 34-36 , Hosea 5 . 15

And the . 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.

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 Judges 21 . 6 . repented them Judges 21 . 12 . virgins 1 Samuel 10 . 22 . inquired 1 Samuel 14 . 18 . Bring hither 1 Samuel 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 , Job 9 . 13 , Psalm 97 . 2 , Romans 2 . 5 , Romans 3 . 5 , Romans 11 . 33

Reciprocal . Genesis 49 . 27 . a wolf Judges 8 . 10 . fell an hundred Judges 20 . 15 . twenty

Verse 26

all the children . Judges 20 . 18 , Judges 20 . 23

wept . 1 Samuel 7 . 6 , 2 Chronicles 20 . 3 , Ezra 8 . 21 , Ezra 9 . 4 , Ezra 9 . 5 , Joel 1 . 14 , Joel 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 2 Kings 22 . 19 . wept Nehemiah 9 . 1 . children Proverbs 20 . 18 . and

Verse 27

inquired . Judges 20 . 18 , Judges 20 . 23 , Numbers 27 . 21

the ark . 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

Reciprocal . Exodus 25 . 22 . and I will Exodus 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

Phinehas . 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. Numbers 25 . 7-13 , Joshua 22 . 13 , Joshua 22 . 30-32 , Joshua 24 . 33

stood . Deuteronomy 10 . 8 , Deuteronomy 18 . 5

Shall I yet . Joshua 7 . 7 , 1 Samuel 14 . 37 , 1 Samuel 23 . 4-12 , 1 Samuel 30 . 8 , 2 Samuel 5 . 19-24 , 2 Samuel 6 . 3 , 2 Samuel 6 . 7-12 , Proverbs 3 . 5 , Proverbs 3 . 6 , Jeremiah 10 . 23

Go up . Judges 1 . 2 , Judges 7 . 9 , 2 Chronicles 20 . 17

Reciprocal . Exodus 6 . 25 . Phinehas Exodus 28 . 30 . General Deuteronomy 20 . 2 . General Joshua 9 . 14 . asked not Joshua 11 . 6 . morrow Judges 1 . 1 . asked 1 Samuel 10 . 22 . inquired 1 Samuel 14 . 18 . Bring hither 1 Chronicles 6 . 4 . Phinehas Ezra 7 . 5 . Phinehas John 11 . 51 . being

Verse 29

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.

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

the house of God . or , Beth-el , Gibeah. Judges 19 . 13 , Judges 19 . 14 , Isaiah 10 . 29

thirty . Joshua 7 . 5

Reciprocal . Joshua 8 . 5 . that we will Joshua 8 . 16 . drawn away Judges 20 . 39 . And when

Verse 32

Let us flee . 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. Joshua 8 . 15 , Joshua 8 . 16

Reciprocal . Joshua 8 . 6 . They flee 2 Samuel 17 . 9 . some

Verse 33

rose up . Joshua 8 . 18-22

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.

Reciprocal . Joshua 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 , Proverbs 29 . 6 , Ecclesiastes 8 . 11 , Ecclesiastes 8 . 12 , Ecclesiastes 9 . 12 , Isaiah 3 . 10 , Isaiah 3 . 11 , Isaiah 47 . 11 , Matthew 24 . 44 , Luke 21 . 34 , Luke 21 . 34 , 1 Thessalonians 5 . 3

Reciprocal . Matthew 24 . 39 . General

Verse 35

twenty . 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.

Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 10 . fell an hundred Judges 20 . 46 . twenty Psalm 68 . 27 . little

Verse 36

for the men . Joshua 8 . 15-29

Reciprocal . Joshua 8 . 4 . lie in wait Joshua 8 . 16 . called together

Verse 37

the liers in wait hasted . Joshua 8 . 19

drew themselves along . or , made a long sound with the trumpets , Exodus 19 . 13 , Joshua 6 . 5

Verse 38

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.

sign . or , time , Genesis 17 . 21 , 2 Kings 4 . 16 , *marg.

and . Heb. with

flame . Heb. elevation

Reciprocal . Joel 2 . 30 . pillars

Verse 39

And when . Judges 20 . 31

smite and kill . Heb. smite the wounded

Verse 40

a pillar . Genesis 19 . 28 , Song of Solomon 3 . 6 , Joel 2 . 30 , Revelation 19 . 3

looked . Joshua 8 . 20

flame . Heb. whole consumption

Reciprocal . 2 Kings 3 . 24 . smote the 2 Kings 6 . 20 . opened

Verse 41

were amazed . Exodus 15 . 9 , Exodus 15 . 10 , Isaiah 13 . 8 , Isaiah 13 . 9 , Isaiah 33 . 14 , Luke 17 . 27 , Luke 17 . 28 , Luke 21 . 26 , 1 Thessalonians 5 . 3 , 2 Peter 2 . 12 , Revelation 6 . 15-17 , Revelation 18 . 8-10

was come upon them . Heb. touched them

Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 13 . 6 . in a strait

Verse 42

the battle . Lamentations 1 . 3 , Hosea 9 . 9 , Hosea 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 ease . or , from Menuchah , etc

over against . Heb. unto over against

Reciprocal . 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 , Judges 20 . 35

Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 10 . fell an hundred 1 Samuel 9 . 21 . a Benjamite

Verse 47

six hundred . 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.

Reciprocal . Judges 20 . 15 . twenty Judges 21 . 14 . sufficed them not Zechariah 14 . 10 . Rimmon

Verse 48

smote them . Deuteronomy 13 . 15-17 , 2 Chronicles 25 . 13 , 2 Chronicles 28 . 6-9 , Proverbs 18 . 19

came to hand . Heb. was found

they came to . Heb. were found

Reciprocal . Judges 21 . 23 . repaired