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Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Henry writes: "What, and yet miscarry thus! 1. God’s judgments are a great deep, and his way is in the sea. Clouds and darkness are often round about him, but judgment and justice are always the habitation of his throne. We may be sure of the righteousness, when we cannot see the reasons, of God’s proceedings. 2. God would hereby show them, and us in them, that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, that we are not to confide in numbers, which perhaps the Israelites did with too much assurance. We must never lay the weight on an arm of flesh, which only the Rock of ages will bear. 3. God designed hereby to correct Israel for their sins. They did well to show such a zeal against the wickedness of Gibeah: but were there not with them, even with them, sins against the Lord their God? Those must be made to know their own iniquity that are forward in condemning the iniquity of others." Judges 20:24 Then the sons of Israel came against the sons of Benjamin the second day. Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then the sons of Israel came against the sons of Benjamin the second day - Since they had wept before the LORD, and He told them to "Go" they assumed the results would now be in their favor. Keil and Delitzsch Commentary…on the second day also the Benjaminites brought 18,000 of them to the ground. “The second day” is not the day following the first engagement, as if the battles had been fought upon two successive days, but the second day of actual fighting, which took place some days after the first, for the inquiry was made at Bethel as to the will of God between the two engagements. (Judges 20 Commentary) Judges 20:25 And Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and felled to the ground again 18,000 men of the sons of Israel; all these drew the sword. felled to the ground - Jdg 20:21 Ge 18:25 Job 9:12,13 Ps 97:2 Ro 2:5 3:5 11:33 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ONE-TENTH OF ISRAEL'S ARMY HAS BEEN FELLED And Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and felled to the ground again 18,000 men of the sons of Israel; all these drew the sword - This must have been devastating as almost 1/10 of their huge army were killed and as best can be discerned was "soundly defeated." God was very likely using these 2 defeats to humble the whole nation. This was not merely the result of the sin of one man (although in a sense it certainly did have it's inception with one man, a profane, unholy Levite, not living a life wholly given to God (that's an understatement!). The whole nation had to be humbled, because they first thought that "THEY" (BENJAMIN) had a sin problem, but they came to see that "WE" have a sin problem. Israel had to get the beam out of its own eye before could deal with the speck in the eye of Benjamin (Mt 7:3-5+). Hindson makes an interesting observation of how so few could defeat so many - The hilly terrain in the vicinity of Gibeah favored a defensive force, rather than an attacking force. Great numbers of men were of limited value, since they could not be deployed effectively. (ED: WHILE THIS IS REASONABLE, ULTIMATELY GOD ALLOWED THE SONS OF ISRAEL TO BE DEFEATED). (Borrow KJV Bible Commentary) Judges 20:26 Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. all the children - Jdg 20:18,23 wept - 1Sa 7:6 2Ch 20:3 Ezra 8:21 9:4,5 Joe 1:14 2:12-18 Jon 3:5-10 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WEEPING, FASTING AND OFFERING Lindsey - Perhaps one reason the Lord permitted their initial defeats was to bring them back in a spirit of repentance to the neglected sacrificial worship. This time their inquiry about whether they should continue the battle not only received a positive reply (Go) but also included a promise of victory (See context in The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening - Notice who comes to Bethel now -- all the sons of Israel and all the people. Again they went up to Bethel. And again they wept, went without and waited (fasted that day until evening) and then offered sacrifices. It is likely that sin in the camp accounted for their failure to win the battles the first 2 times (much like the situation in Jos 7:1-26). Another consideration is that God says that "vengeance is Mine. I will repay." And here Israel was taking "vengeance" into their own hands. It was not necessarily wrong to punish the men of Gibeah who murdered the woman and shed innocent blood. But it was wrong to put themselves in the place of God. As support for this thought note Who it is Who finally "strikes" Benjamin in (Jdg 20:35) where we read "the LORD struck Benjamin before Israel." Now they were doing something they had not done before they went into their first and second battles. Earlier the nation had wept and sacrificed to the Lord when judgment was threatened (Jdg 2:4-5+) but there was no mention made of genuine repentance at that time. Later King David fasted and wept as he begged the Lord to spare the life of Bathsheba's child (2Sa 12:21, 22). These episodes reflect bitter tears as the result of sin. We've all shed them. Revelation 7:17+ and Rev 21:4+ say that God will wipe away our tears. While the context does not allow a dogmatic interpretation, commentators such as Erwin Lutzer feel these will be tears the redeemed shed not for sins which are covered by the blood of the Lamb, but of the manifold opportunities missed during life to bring glory to the Father by good deeds, good deeds that could be "missed" because at that time we were living in unconfessed sin (See related discussion related to the Bema Seat Judgment of Believers - 2Co 5:9+, 2Co 5:10+). Perhaps these prophetic tears have another meaning but this interpretation certainly merits pondering while we still have breath allotted with which to redeem the time in these evil days! In 1827, Adam
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Henry - "Before they only consulted God’s oracle, Who shall go up first? And, Shall we go up? But now they implored His favour, fasted and prayed, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings , to make an atonement for sin and an acknowledgment of their dependence upon God, and as an expression of their desire towards Him. We cannot expect the presence of God with us, unless we thus seek it in the way He has appointed. And when they were in this frame, and thus sought the Lord, then he not only ordered them to go up against the Benjamites the third time, but gave them a promise of victory: Tomorrow I will deliver them into thy hand, Jdg 20:28." And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD - Burnt offerings (Lev 1:1-17) were voluntary offerings that speak of consecration. The burnt offering (Lev 1:1ff) symbolized the complete consecration of the offerrer to God. Peace offerings (Lev 3:1ff) included a meal and symbolized restored fellowship/communion with God. Keil and Delitzsch offers an explanation of why after the first 2 visits to God and His telling them to go ahead and fight that they still lost these two battles - The congregation now discovered, from this repeated defeat, that the Lord had withdrawn His grace, and was punishing them. Their sin, however, did not consist in the fact that they had begun the war itself,—for the law in Deut. 22:22, to which they themselves had referred in Jdg 20:13, really required this,—but rather in the state of mind with which they had entered upon the war, their strong self-consciousness, and great confidence in their own might and power. They had indeed inquired of God (Elohim) who should open the conflict; but they had neglect to humble themselves before Jehovah the covenant God, in the consciousness not only of their own weakness and sinfulness, but also of grief at the moral corruption of their brother-tribe.It is certainly not without significance, that in Jdg 20:18 it is stated that “they asked God” (יִשְׁאֲלוּ בֵאלֹהִים), i.e., they simply desired a supreme or divine decision as to the question who should lead the van in the war; whereas, after the first defeat, they wept before Jehovah, and inquired of Jehovah (Jdg 20:23), the covenant God, for whose law and right they were about to contend. But even then there were still wanting the humility and penitence, without which the congregation of the Lord could not successfully carry on the conflict against the ungodly. The remark in Jdg 20:22, “The people felt (showed) themselves strong, and added (continued) to set in array the war,” is thoroughly expressive of the feeling of the congregation. They resolved upon the continuance of the war, in the full consciousness of their superior power and numerical strength; and it was not till afterwards that they complained to the Lord of their misfortune, and inquired whether they should renew the conflict. The question was followed by a corresponding answer on the part of God, “Go up against him,” which certainly sanctioned the continuance of the war, but gave no promise as to the result, because the people, thinking that they might be certain of success, had not inquired about that at all. It was not till after the second severe defeat, when 22,000 and 18,000, the tenth part of the whole army, had fallen, that they humbled themselves before the Lord. They not only wept because of the calamity which had befallen them, but fasted the same day before the Lord,—the fasting being the manifest expression of the bending of the heart before God,—and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings. The shelamim here are not thank-offerings, but supplicatory offerings, presented to implore the gracious assistance of God, and to commemorate the enjoyment of fellowship with the Lord, through the sacrificial meal associated with this sacrifice (as in Jdg. 21:4, 1 Sam. 13:9, 2 Sam. 24:25). (Judges 20 Commentary) Wolf adds the thought on the 2 defeats and loss of almost 40,000 men that "the two-day total to a staggering forty thousand, 10 percent of their entire force! It seemed catastrophic; but by reducing the size of the army, God was showing them that numbers alone did not guarantee victory. They needed to trust God to accomplish the impossible, as he did for Gideon’s three hundred (cf. Jdg 7:7). (See context in The Expositor's Bible Commentary) Judges 20:27 And the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, inquired - Jdg 20:18,23 Nu 27:21 the ark - Jos 18:1 1Sa 4:3,4 Ps 78:60,61 Jer 7:12 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days The only mention of the ark in Judges! In this period the ark was sometimes moved from the central sanctuary, especially in wartime (cf. 1Sa4:4, 5 where, as here, the central sanctuary was at Shiloh). 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. Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Neither is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. Keil and Delitzsch The expression “in those days” implies that the ark of the covenant was only temporarily at Bethel, and therefore had been brought thither from the tabernacle at Shiloh during this war. (Judges 20 Commentary) Judges 20:28 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, Aaron's son, stood before it to minister in those days), saying, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?" And the LORD said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand." Phinehas - Nu 25:7-13 Jos 22:13,30-32 24:33 stood - De 10:8 18:5 Shall I yet - Jos 7:7 1Sa 14:37 23:4-12 30:8 2Sa 5:19-24 6:3,7-12 Pr 3:5,6 Jer 10:23 Go up - Jdg 1:2 7:9 2Ch 20:17 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PHINEHAS PRESIDES and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, Aaron's son, stood before it to minister in those days), saying, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?" And the LORD said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand." Ministering at Bethel was Phinehas, the zealous grandson of Aaron who had stopped the terrible plague on the plains of Moab, where 24,000 Israelites had perished in the worship of the Baal of Peor (Nu 25:9). Once more he was called on to intercede in a time of national disaster. Phinehas Family Tree- Father = Eleazar In the family tree above, note that Aaron's son was Eleazar and Phinehas was his son although he is not shown on the diagram. The fact that Phinehas was still serving as priest at the tabernacle at Shiloh indicates that this distressing series of events occurred soon after the death of Joshua and the elders that outlived Joshua, during the first anarchistic period in the land of Canaan (Jdg 2:7-10+). The rapid descent of the post-Joshua generation of Israelites into apostasy, immorality and inter-tribal warfare (illustrated in these last three chapters of the book of Judges) is a doleful commentary on the utter depravity of human nature (Cp Ro 3:10+, Ro 3:18+, Ro 3:23+, Ro 7:18+). Yet, despite it all, God was still merciful and ready to forgive. PHINEHAS [ISBE] PHINEHAS - fin'-e-as, -az, fin'-e-has, -haz (pinechac, "mouth of brass"): (1) Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron (Ex 6:25; cp 1 Ch 6:4; Ezr 7:5, where he is seen to be an ancestor of Ezra). He took a leading part in cleansing Israel from whoredom at Shittim. He there punished the brazen licentiousness of Zimri, prince of Simeon, by slaying both him and the Midianite woman he had brought into camp (Nu 25:6-18). This incident is referred to in Ps 106:30,31 (compare 1 Macc 2:26,54; Sirach 45:23,24). As priest he accompanied the expedition sent by Moses against Midjan (Nu 31:6). He was chief of the Korahite Levites (1 Ch 9:20), and succeeded his father as high priest. While he was in that office the civil war with Benjamin occurred, and it was he who delivered the oracle's decision to fight Benjamin (Jdg 20:28ff). His faithful services secured to his house the succession of the priesthood (Nu 25:11-13). He was sent as ambassador to inquire into the reported idolatry of Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh (Josh 22:13 ff,30-32). According to Septuagint he was buried with his father in Ephraim on the hill Gibeah Phinehas (see Josh 24:33). His character was marked with strong moral indignation and fine integrity. (2) The younger son of Eli (1 Sam 1:3; 2 Esdras 1:2, "Phinees"). See HOPHNI AND PHINEHAS. (3) Father of a priest named Eleazar (Ezr 8:33; compare 8:2; 1 Esdras 8:63, "Phinees"). Judges 20:29 So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah. Set men - Jdg 20:34 Jos 8:4 2Sa 5:23 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Judges 20:29-46 can be a bit hard to follow. Lindsey helps us by pointing out that first there is "A general account of the battle (Jdg 20:29–36a) is followed by a detailed and supplementary account (Jdg 20:36b–46).....These verses supplement the previous account by detailing the ambush and the aftermath of the major battle. (See context in The Bible Knowledge Commentary) So - Term of conclusion. Yahweh had promised them success. One might have thought they would have gone head on toward Gibeah as in the first two battles, but even with the promise of success, they orchestrated a plan of deception and ambush of the Benjamites. Whether God gave them this plan or in their humility from 2 defeats they hatched it themselves is a moot point, because as the battle unfolds, this plan worked. Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah - 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. The ambush was a strategy successfully used by Joshua at Ai (where the Lord himself commanded the use of an ambush) (Jos 8:2) and by Abimelech at Shechem (Jdg 9:32, 33-44+). Guzik makes an interesting comment - The strategy used by the tribes of Israel against Gibeah was remarkably similar to the strategy used at Ai (Joshua 8). Perhaps they got this strategy by reading the writings of Joshua and Moses; this may reflect that that they returned to God’s word in the course of their repentance. (ED: THAT'S POSSIBLE BUT IF SO THEIR REPENTANCE DID NOT LAST LONG AS EVIDENCED BY THE REPEATED CYCLES OF SIN DURING THE 300+ YEARS). Boling - In their third battle with the Benjamites, the Israelites used strategy that had been used successfully by Joshua at Ai (Josh 8:4-29). (See context in Wycliffe Bible Commentary) Judges 20:30 And the sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day and arrayed themselves against Gibeah, as at other times. Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And the sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day and arrayed themselves against Gibeah, as at other times - This looked to Gibeah as if the sons of Israel were using the same strategy, so undoubtedly Gibeah was convinced of a third victory (cf Jdg 20:32). Judges 20:31 And the sons of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people, as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel. drawn - Jos 8:14-16 Beth-el, Gibeah. Jdg 19:13,14 Isa 10:29 thirty - Jos 7:5 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And the sons of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people, as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel - These 30 men of Israel were a cry from the 1000's that had died before. Keil and Delitzsch Commentary…the mode in which they were drawn away from the town is not described more fully till Jdg 20:32, 33. The men of Gibeah began to smite the beaten of the people (who pretended to fly) as formerly upon the roads (where two roads part), of which one led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, into the field (Judges 20 Commentary) Judges 20:32 And the sons of Benjamin said, "They are struck down before us, as at the first." But the sons of Israel said, "Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways." Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And the sons of Benjamin said, "They are struck down before us, as at the first." - Benjamin was drawn into the snare by their pride - "We beat them twice and the third time is the charm!" But the sons of Israel said, "Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways." - Let us flee was done because they had placed men in an ambush behind Gibeah, who would enter and burn the city as soon as the Benjamites left it. Judges 20:33 Then all the men of Israel arose from their place and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar; and the men of Israel in ambush broke out of their place, even out of Maareh-geba. arose - Jos 8:18-22 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then all the men of Israel arose from their place and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar; and the men of Israel in ambush broke out of their place, even out of Maareh-geba - There appear to have been three divisions of the Israelite 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 When ten thousand choice men from all Israel came against Gibeah, the battle became fierce; but Benjamin did not know that disaster was close to them. ten thousand - Jdg 20:29 did not know - Jos 8:14 Job 21:13 Pr 4:19 29:6 Ec 8:11,12 9:12 Isa 3:10,11 Isa 47:11 Mt 24:44 Lu 21:34 21:34 1Th 5:3 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries When ten thousand choice men from all Israel came against Gibeah, the battle became fierce; but Benjamin did not know that disaster was close to them. NET = "Ten thousand men, well-trained soldiers from all Israel, then made a frontal assault against Gibeah– the battle was fierce. But the Benjaminites did not realize that disaster was at their doorstep." Judges 20:35 And the LORD struck Benjamin before Israel, so that the sons of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day, all who draw the sword. Jdg 20:15,44-46 Job 20:5 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And the LORD struck Benjamin before Israel 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 if He had smitten the Benjamites by a miracle so that the sons of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day, all who draw the sword: Note God's sovereignty interacting once again with man's responsibility - the LORD struck Benjamin....Israel destroyed 25,100. It is an easy thing to trample upon those who have made God their enemy. G Campbell Morgan And the Lord smote Benjamin before Israel. Judges 20.35 These words briefly recall the real meaning of the awful judgment that fell upon Benjamin. It was the stroke of God. The chapter gives the result of the consideration, taking counsel, and speaking, of the nation in answer to the call of the Levite. His action served its purpose. The nation was stirred to its centre. A great moral passion flamed out. Underneath all the degeneracy there was a very definite stratum of religious conviction, and it was this which, in the presence of the iniquity of the men of Gibeah, sprang to life and action, It is very remarkable how, in the case of nations backsliding from religious ideals, this is ever so. In the midst of the most soiled and debased times, in the presence of some more than usually violent manifestation of evil, the slumbering convictions of a people will flame into new sensitiveness and demand recognition. In response to the ghastly and bloody appeal of the Levite, Israel gathered itself together before God, seeking to know how to act. The low level of morality which had manifested itself in so fearful a form, could only be dealt with by general suffering. The men who were in the wrong were brutally defiant. Moreover, they were strong enough at first to defeat the army of Israel. This fact at least suggests that Israel was not clean enough her-self to punish wrongdoers. Again the people gathered before God, and this time in weeping and lamentation. After this, they again went forward, this time to victory and the sore punishment of the sinning people, and those who had condoned their sin. Thus not Israel, but God, smote Benjamin. (Borrow Life applications from every chapter of the Bible). Judges 20:36 So the sons of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. When the men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin because they relied on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah, for the men - Jos 8:15-29 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So the sons of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. When the men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin because they relied on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah - NET = "Then the Benjaminites saw they were defeated. The Israelites retreated before Benjamin, because they had confidence in the men they had hid in ambush outside Gibeah." NLT = "The Israelites had retreated from Benjamin's warriors in order to give those hiding in ambush more room to maneuver against Gibeah." Details of how the victory described above came about. Judges 20:37 the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush also deployed and struck all the city with the edge of the sword. the men in ambush - Jos 8:19 the men in ambush also deployed, Ex 19:13 Jos 6:5 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush also deployed and struck all the city with the edge of the sword - NET = "The men hiding in ambush made a mad dash to Gibeah. They attacked and put the sword to the entire city." Judges 20:38 Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city. sign Ge 17:21 2Ki 4:16 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Now 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. The appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city - NET - "The Israelites and the men hiding in ambush had arranged a signal. When the men hiding in ambush sent up a smoke signal from the city" Judges 20:39 Then the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel, for they said, "Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle." Then - Jdg 20:31 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel, for they said, "Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle - NET = "the Israelites counterattacked. Benjamin had begun to strike down the Israelites; they struck down about thirty men. They said, "There's no doubt about it! They are totally defeated as in the earlier battle." Keil and Delitzsch - the men of Israel turned in the battle - that is to say, as is afterwards more fully explained in Jdg 20:39, 40, in the form of a long new circumstantial clause, while Benjamin had begun to smite, etc. (repeated from Jdg 20:31, 32), and the cloud had begun to ascend out of the city as a pillar of smoke, and Benjamin turned back, and behold the whole city ascended towards heaven (in smoke), Israel turned (fighting) and Benjamin was terrified, for it saw that misfortune had come upon it (see Jdg 20:34). In Jdg 20:41a, the thread of the narrative, which was interrupted by the long circumstantial clause, is again resumed by the repetition of “and the men of Israel turned.” (Judges 20 Commentary) Judges 20:40 But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, Benjamin looked behind them; and behold, the whole city was going up in smoke to heaven. a column of smoke - Ge 19:28 Song 3:6 Joel 2:30 Rev 19:3 Benjamin looked behind them - Jos 8:20 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, Benjamin looked behind them; and behold, the whole (kalil) city was going up in smoke to heaven - Whole is the Hebrew word kalil used of "whole burnt offerings" (Dt 33:10) and of burning a town whose people have become involved in idolatry (Dt 13:16). The entire town of Gibeah had literally become a "burnt offering" to heaven! Moreover, the Benjamites’ end was like that of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah And (ABRAHAM) looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. (Ge 19:28). Judges 20:41 Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified; for they saw that disaster was close to them. were amazed - Ex 15:9,10 Isa 13:8,9 33:14 Lu 17:27,28 21:26 1Th 5:3 2Pe 2:12 Rev 6:15-17 18:8-10 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PRETENDED RETREAT REVERSED BY SMOKE SIGNAL Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified; for they saw that disaster was close to them - They had sown the wind of evil and now were reaping a whirlwind of evil Terrified (disturbed) (0926) bahal means dismayed, disturbed, terrified. Bahal can also mean to hasten (2 Chr 26:20, Eccl 8:3). Bahal usually means to tremble inwardly, to become agitated, to palpitate, to make alarmed. Judges 20:42 Therefore, they turned their backs before the men of Israel toward the direction of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them while those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the midst of them. the battle overtook - La 1:3 Ho 9:9 10:9 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Therefore, they turned their backs before the men of Israel toward the direction of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them while those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the midst of them The Benjamites headed east toward the desert area extending from Bethel to Jericho (cf. Josh 16:1). Perhaps they hoped to cross the Jordan and escape into the deserts beyond, but the sheer numbers of Israelites made this impossible. The pursuing forces were augmented by men from nearby cities. Whenever Israel had the enemy on the run, it seemed that volunteers flocked to join in the pursuit. The Midianites (Jdg 7:23-24) and Philistines (1Sa 14:22) were also routed by rapidly growing armies. Judges 20:43 They surrounded Benjamin, pursued them without rest and trod them down opposite Gibeah toward the east. NET They surrounded the Benjaminites, chased them from Nohah, and annihilated them all the way to a spot east of Geba. BBE And crushing Benjamin down, they went after them, driving them from Nohah as far as the east side of Gibeah. ESV Surrounding the Benjaminites, they pursued them and trod them down from Nohah as far as opposite Gibeah on the east. They surrounded Benjamin - Joshua 8:20-22 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries They surrounded Benjamin, pursued them without rest and trod them down opposite Gibeah toward the east NET Note on Nohah - The translation assumes the reading מִנּוֹחָה (minnokhah, “from Nohah”; cf. 1 Chr 8:2) rather than the MT’s מְנוּחָה (ménukhah, “resting place”). NET Note on Gibeah - Heb "unto the opposite of Gibeah toward the east." Gibeah cannot be correct here, since the Benjaminites retreated from there toward the desert and Rimmon (see v. 45). A slight emendation yields the reading "Geba." Judges 20:44 Thus 18,000 men of Benjamin fell; all these were valiant warriors. Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Thus 18,000 men of Benjamin fell; all these were valiant warriors Judges 20:45 The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, but they caught 5,000 of them on the highways and overtook them at Gidom and killed 2,000 of them. Rimmon - Jos 15:32 1Ch 6:77 Zec 14:10 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, but they caught 5,000 of them on the highways and overtook them at Gidom and killed 2,000 of them: NET - The rest turned and ran toward the wilderness, heading toward the cliff of Rimmon. But the Israelites caught five thousand of them on the main roads. They stayed right on their heels all the way to Gidom and struck down two thousand more." Rimmon was a conical limestone hill surrounded by wadis and located about 4 miles E of Bethel. Numerous caves provided hiding places from the relentless pursuers. RIMMON [ISBE] - rim'-on: The rock Rimmon (cela` rimmon; he petra Rhemmon): The place of refuge of the 600 surviving Benjamites of Gibeah (Jeba`) who "turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon, and abode in the rock of Rimmon four months" (Jdg 20:45,47; 21:13). Robinson's identification (RB, I, 440) has been very generally accepted. He found a conical and very prominent hill some 6 miles North-Northeast of Jeba` upon which stands a village called Rummon. This site was known to Eusebius and Jerome (OS 146 6; 287 98), who describe it as 15 Roman miles from Jerusalem. Another view, which would locate the place of refuge of the Benjamites in the Mugharet el jai, a large cavern on the south of the Wady Suweinit, near Jeba`, is strongly advocated by Rawnsley and Birch (see PEF, III, 137-48). The latter connects this again with 1 Sam 14:2, where Saul, accompanied by his 600, "abode in the uttermost part of Gibeah" under the pomegranate tree (Rimmon). Judges 20:46 So all of Benjamin who fell that day were 25,000 men who draw the sword; all these were valiant warriors. Jdg 20:15,35 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So all of Benjamin who fell that day were 25,000 men who draw the sword; all these were valiant warriors - Jdg 20:15 says there were 26,000 men of Benjamin that "drew the sword." Since 25,000 fell on "that day," evidently a thousand had already been slain during the previous days of fighting. The number 25,000 seems here to be a "round number" for the more accurate count (25,100) mentioned in Jdg 20:35. It is important to realize that the sons of Israel did not just defeat the army of the Benjaminites at Gibeah and kill almost all of the men, but also destroyed the other cities of the Benjaminites. You ask what is the basis for this statement? Read Jdg 21:16 "Then the elders of the congregation said, “What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?” So clearly the sons of Israel went on an unreasonable rampage probably motivated in part by their anger at having suffered such heavy losses two times! That is why there were not any women for the male Benjaminite survivors. The sons of Israel forgot God's instruction in Leviticus 19:18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. G Campbell Morgan on Israel's zeal almost wiping out the entire tribe - “Uninstructed zeal, even in the cause of righteousness, often goes beyond its proper limits.” Judges 20:47 But 600 men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and they remained at the rock of Rimmon four months. six hundred - Jdg 21:13 Ps 103:9,10 Isa 1:9 Jer 14:7 La 3:32 Hab 3:2, Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BENJAMINITES AN "ENDANGERED SPECIES!" But 600 men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and. 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. they remained at the rock of Rimmon four months until there was a peace treaty (Jdg 21:13,14) were the only survivors of the entire tribe of Benjamin. Judges 20:48 The men of Israel then turned back against the sons of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, both the entire city with the cattle and all that they found; they also set on fire all the cities which they found. Stuck them - De 13:15-17 2Ch 25:13 28:6-9 Pr 18:19 Judges 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The men of Israel then turned back against the sons of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, both the entire city with the cattle and all that they found; they also set on fire all the cities which they found - All the cities refers to all the Benjaminite cities and their inhabitants, women and children! The sons of Israel were doing a better job of utterly destroying their own brothers than they did against the pagans God had told them to utterly destroy! Basically the land of Benjamin is ravaged as a result of their foolish (stupid) decision to defend the sin of the "sons of Belial" in Gibeah -- what were they defending? homosexuality, rape, murder, not to mention their failure to show Oriental hospitality to the Levite's traveling party in Jdg 19. What was now right in their eyes was an abomination in the eyes of God. O, how we need to read and heed the seriousness of straying from God's holy word, which alone is the light (Ps 19:8+, Ps 119:105+, Pr 6:23+) to guide us on the the highway of holiness (Isa 35:8) in the midst of a dark, crooked and perverse generation (Php 2:15+) at the outset of the 21st century. Since the destruction included the animals and everything else they found, apparently they had placed the Benjamite towns under the ban as in holy war (cf. Jdg 1:17+). In holy war (war waged at the Lord’s direct command) the Israelites were sometimes told not to take any loot but to destroy everything as a way of offering it to God (under the ban) It was also an extreme form of divine judgment on Israel's enemies (Jos 6:21; 1Sa15:1, 2, 3) and, in certain circumstances, on Israelites themselves (Dt 13:12-18). Here it seems to be applied without any specific instruction from the Lord to do so! The problem with revenge is that it is uncontrollable. This was one of the main reasons the Old Testament punishment code, “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” was first given. It was to restrict the escalation of revenge before things got out of control. But the Israelites chose to jettison that principle. If every man does what is right in his own eyes, then force becomes the arbiter while truth and justice are the first casualties. Gary Inrig - Ironically, a people who refused to carry out holy war against the Canaanites had carried it out with thoroughness against one of their own tribes. (Borrow Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay) Breach and Recovery Judges 20 Henri Rossi Following on the crime of Gibeah, all the tribes from the extreme North to the extreme South were gathered together as one man unto Jehovah in Mizpeh" (Jdg 20:1). Very little seemed wanting in this unanimous protest against evil. There was zeal to enquire into, and to purify themselves from, it, and also a sense of Israel's corporate responsibility, which, later on under Deborah, Gideon and Jephthah, was lacking. The assembling together, the actions and the sentiments of the eleven tribes presented above all a fair appearance of unity (Jdg 20:1, 8, 11), for the smallest tribe, and what was more a guilty one, was the only one absent. The centre of the people's unity was acknowledged, for it was "unto Jehovah" that they gathered together in Mizpeh (Jdg 20:1). What then was wanting in Israel? One thing, "the first love,"which finds expression both towards God and towards those that are His. Towards God, this love had waxed cold in Israel. They had hearkened, deliberated, decided, and then consulted God (Jdg 20:18). In place of commencing with the word of God they had left it to the last. Not that it was omitted, but it no longer occupied the first place. This was a mark of having left their first love. "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." "If a man love Me, he will keep My word" (Jn 14:21, 23). "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments" (1Jn 5:3). Another mark was, that their hearts were more alive to the shame inflicted on Israel, than to the dishonour done to God (Jdg 20:6, 10, 13). How often does this tendency show itself in assembly discipline! It is because God no longer has His right place in our hearts. The forsaking of first love also betrays itself in our conduct towards our brethren; indeed intercourse with God and with our brethren are closely connected. "And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also" (1Jn 4:21). Israel looked upon Benjamin as an enemy, and, notwithstanding the fair appearance of unity, did not regard the sin of one tribe as that of all of the people. They said: "What wickedness is this that is done among you?" (Jdg 20:12) - not "among us." What a difference between this love and that which is described in 1Co 13:4, 5, 6, 7 (see commentary -1Cor 13:4; 1Cor 13:5; 1Cor 13:6; 1Cor 13:7; 1Cor 13:8)! Zeal was not wanting, but that did not make up for having left their first love. "Thou canst not bear them which are evil" of Rev. 2:2-note, was found here; but, as further on in the address to Ephesus, the Lord could say to His people: "I have somewhat against thee." They added: "that we may put away the evil from Israel" (Jdg 20:13), but where was their brotherly affection? This is indeed always thedanger in connection with discipline, and the Corinthians were exhorted to confirm their love toward the one who had fallen, after the discipline had done its work. If on the one hand, the people addressing Benjamin said "you" in place of "us" in Jdg 20:12; on the other, "us" and "we" usurp an undue place in the next verse: "Deliver as the men … that we may put themto death and put away evil from Israel." Leaving the first love opens the door to self‑importance. As for Benjamin, they had grievously sinned in upholding evil in their midst, and the remonstrance of Israel, instead of humbling them, incited them to the most serious act: "to go out to battle against the children of Israel" (Jdg 20:14), and then what was far worse - they allied themselves with evil. The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together at Gibeah, they numbered the inhabitants of Gibeah, and they went forth out of Gibeah and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites (Jdg 20:14, 15, 21). The absence of humiliation on their part led to terrible results; not only did they not judge the evil, but as a necessary consequence, they fatally excused it, taking sides with the evil‑doers against the people of God. It is true that they put on an appearance of being without the inhabitants of Gibeah (Jdg 20:15), but they numbered them and availed themselves of their seven hundred chosen warriors. In this army the "left‑handed" were equal in numbers to the chosen men of Gibeah, weakness which became strength in the Lord's service when it was an Ehud who fought. Here the left‑handed were skilful against the Lord; the hand which ought to have been apt in defence, was strong to attack and deceive those who confronted them. When every preliminary was exhausted, Israel asked counsel of God (Jdg 20:18). Judah shall go up first, was the reply of Him who was about to discipline Israel, and twenty‑two thousand men of Judah were destroyed down to the ground. What grace God displayed in this defeat! Israel must learn that, in contests between brethren, there could be neither victors nor vanquished, but that all must be vanquished for the Lord to triumph at the end. God made use of this defeat for the restorationof His beloved people. Israel came forth strengthened from a combat which had cost him his troops, for he came out of it judged in reality by God himself. When the twenty‑two thousand fell, the men of Israel encouraged themselves (Jdg 20:22). See what fruit their chastisement bore: • First: it led them to seek again the presence of Jehovah. • Secondly: instead of human indignation, they were filled with sorrow according to God and their tears were the proof of it. • Thirdly: their sorrow was not transient, for they wept until even. • Fourthly: they learnt to depend more truly on the word of God, and no longer say, "Which of us shall go up first?" but "Shall I go up again?" • Fifthly: affection for their brother in his fall is at length revived, for they say: "The children of Benjamin my brother" (Jdg 20:23). How worthy of God was such a result! It was not victory but defeat which brought about these things, blessed fruits of the discipline, and meanwhile other fruits were yet to be produced. "And Jehovah said, go up against him." Eighteen thousand men of the children of Israel were destroyed down to the ground in the second defeat. • Then, in the first place, "All the children of Israel, and all the people went up, and came unto the house of God." No one was missing; they were unanimous in seeking Jehovah. • Secondly: Instead of weeping until even, they wept, and sat there before Jehovah. Their sorrow before God was deepened and of longer duration. • Thirdly: They "fasted that day until even." That was more than sorrow; it was humiliation, judgment of the flesh and repentance. • Fourthly and fifthly: They "offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Jehovah." They recovered those two things of inestimable value, a true sense of the value of the sacrifice and of communion. Dependence on the word of God and the realization of His presence became more highly valued, through God's discipline. The people had the consciousness of being before God Himself, who dwelleth between the cherubims over the ark, and drew near to Him, by a living High Priest who interceded for Israel. • Sixthly: Their own will at last completely broken. "Shall I yet again go out or shall I cease?" (Jdg 20:26, 27, 28) What thorough restoration! And that which brought it about was a horrible evil; not that God makes light of the enormity of the evil, but in the interest He bears towards His people, He makes use even of the evil for their blessing. From that time God could bless and assure them of victory. Then the battle took place in which Israel restored, yet experiencing his own weakness and insufficiency, obtained the victory, but lost nearly a whole tribe. Benjamin was defeated by a humbled people who showed themselves weaker than he. It is the principle of all discipline in the assembly. Without love, without dependence on God and His word, without self-judgment, discipline will always be defective, and it is only under such conditions that an assembly can purge out the old leaven. L M Grant…JUDGES 20 JUSTICE FOR THE GUILTY REFUSED BY BENJAMIN (JUDGES 20:1-13) All the tribes were united in their insistence that judgment must be carried out against those who were guilty of criminal abuse and murder. They did not have the same zeal for God's glory in judging the idolatry of Dan. In fact, Dan was included in the stand against this moral wickedness. Dan wanted to cast out the speck in his brother's eye while ignoring the plank in this own eye! (Mt. 7:4-note) These tribes gathered at Mizpah (Jdg 20:1, 2), and heard from the Levite the account of what had happened at Gibeah (Jdg 20:4, 5, 6). He then appealed to them as Israelites, to give counsel and advice as to what to do (Jdg 20:7). Israel agreed together to take ten men out of every hundred in their tribes to go against Gibeah, all being united as one man with no dissenting voice (Jdg 20:8, 9, 10, 11). Yet, rather than attacking first, they sent messengers through the tribe of Benjamin, focusing on the great wickedness that had taken place in Gibeah and demanding that the perverted men be delivered up to suffer for it. It may have been wiser to appeal first to the city of Gibeah to give up these men, in which case great bloodshed might have been avoided, but if this was not done, still the tribe of Benjamin ought to have responded positively to this request, though it was given more in the form of a demand than a request. But they refused, thus expressing their approval of the wicked actions of these men and defending them. WAR: ONE TRIBE AGAINST ELEVEN (Jdg 20:14-48) Thus Benjamin, foolishly taking sides with wickedness, gathered their armies to fight against Israel (Jdg 20:14). They had 26,000 warriors as well as 700 men of Gibeah. Among this 26,700 were 700 left handed men who were expert with slingshots, so that Benjamin was a formidable warrior tribe (Jdg 20:15-16). Israel's army numbered 400,000, over 15 times the size of Benjamin (Jdg 20:17). Therefore, it would be natural to think that Israel should triumph. However, Israel knew they should inquire of God, and asked Him which tribe should go first, and were told, "Judah first" (Jdg 20:18). Judah means "praise," but Israel was more intent on revenge than on praise, and did not realize their attitude was wrong. If we think we can triumph over evil, we shall find ourselves badly defeated, as Israel did, for on the first attack they were defeated with the slaughter of 22,000 men (Jdg 20:21). Should this be surprising to us? No, it should not, for if we judge others without first judging ourselves, God will cause us to be humiliated. Instead of being broken down before the Lord, however, Israel "encouraged themselves," but it is not said "in the Lord," as was the case with David in 1 Samuel 30:6. Yet they wept before the Lord and asked the Lord's counsel as to going against Benjamin. In fact, they say, "My brother Benjamin, "which showed at least a better attitude than that of anger (Jdg 20:23). When Israel asked the Lord, "Shall I go up against my brother Benjamin," God told them to go, for His judgment against evil must be carried out. But why did they not ask the Lord what was the reason for their shameful defeat before? They did not ask this, and God did not answer any more than they had asked. Therefore, when they went out the second day, Benjamin repeated their conquest of Israel, killing another 18,000 men (Jdg 20:25). What a terrible toll to pay in seeking the just judgment of the wicked men of Gibeah! But this has a lesson for us, telling us that sin is far too strong for us. We can never gain the victory over it in our own strength. Even a majority cannot win in such a battle. Only God can defeat the awful power that sin has wielded in raising itself against His people. The second defeat of Israel shocked them enough to add fasting to their weeping. Fasting is symbolic of self-judgment, which is always vitally important when we think of judging others. But this was not all. They also offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord (Jdg 20:26). Fasting was an admission of their own unworthiness, which is the negative side, but the offerings speak positively, for they picture the one great offering of the Lord Jesus on Calvary, which is the only basis for either forgiveness of sins or for judging sin. So that in offering these sacrifices, Israel was giving God the place that is rightly His. The burnt offering reminds us that the glory of God is paramount, for this all ascended in fire to God. If Israel's motives were only for their own relief, this is not good enough. God's glory is far more important than Israel's honor. Yet the peace offering (in which the offerer had a share (Lev. 7:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), was added to indicate Israel's sharing with God in the value of the sacrifice of Christ, which would give Israel the right to share with God's work in judging evil. At this time too we are told that the ark of God was present and Phinehas the priest stood before the ark to enquire of God (Jdg 20:28). Phinehas pictures the Lord Jesus as our Great High Priest, and the ark reminds us of Christ as the Sustainer of the throne of God, the One therefore in absolute authority. Priesthood speaks of His compassionate intercession, a lovely complement of His authority. Thus, we are to learn that when God is given His true place and Christ is given His place, there will be no more defeat. The Lord told Israel, "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand" (Jdg 20:28). However, the battle was not an easy one. Israel set men in ambush all around Gibeah (Jdg 20:29) and others advanced toward the city (Jdg 20:30). The Benjamites came out and began to strike down and kill some of the Israelites, about thirty men (Jdg 20:30). The Benjamites were evidently strong, determined warriors, and thought they were in command of the situation again (Jdg 20:32). The Israelites encouraged this vain confidence of Benjamin by fleeing before Benjamin, but with the object of drawing them away from the city. Thus the forces of Benjamin were divided, and Israel's men in ambush burst forth from their places and ten thousand select men of Israel came against Gibeah (Jdg 20:33, 34). The men of Benjamin did not even suspect they were in a desperate situation. But it was the Lord who defeated Benjamin before Israel (Jdg 20:35), enabling them this time to destroy 25,100 Benjamites. This was a terrible decimation, for their entire army had numbered only 26,700, leaving only 1600 who were not killed. But it was still not as many as those of Israel killed by Benjamin! AN EXPLANATION OF THE VICTORY (Jdg 20:36-48) These last verses in the chapter form are capitulation of the victory of Israel that caused Benjamin to realize they were defeated (Jdg 20:36). The men of Israel had retreated at first from Benjamin because they relied on those who were in ambush, who, after the greater part of Benjamin's army was drawn away, rushed to attack the city (Jdg 20:37). They captured Gibeah without difficulty and set in on fire. The signal for the rest of Israel's army had been appointed as a cloud of smoke rising from the city (Jdg 20:38). Therefore, when the Benjamites thought they were winning, the great cloud of smoke arose from Gibeah. Not only did the men of Israel see it, but also the Benjamites who were pursuing them (Jdg 20:40). The fleeing army of Israel turned back to face Benjamin; and Benjamin, seeing they were trapped between two companies of Israelites and that the one company had already vanquished Gibeah, were panic stricken (Jdg 20:41). They turned to one side and ran toward the wilderness, but the Israelites were prepared for this and therefore overtook Benjamin, surrounding them and "easily trampling them down" (Jdg 20:43). In this first onslaught 18,000 men of Benjamin were killed (Jdg 20:44). The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. Israel pursued them relentlessly, killing 5000 of them on the highways and another 2000 who were able to flee farther into the wilderness (Jdg 20:45). Thus the total number of Benjamin killed was 25,000, all capable warriors. Though Benjamin had been defeated with a terrible slaughter, there were 600 of their men who were able to escape to the Rock of Rimmon in the wilderness and remained there for four months (v.47). But Israel was not content with gaining the victory. In returning they burned the cities they came to in Benjamite territory and killed both men and beasts (Jdg 20:48). If the 600 men had not escaped, what would have happened to the tribe of Benjamin? This whole history is extremely sad. Counting the men of Israel killed, -- 22,000 and 18,000 -- plus those killed in the last engagement, added to the 25,100 of Benjamin, the total number of deaths was over 65,000! If only Benjamin had honorably judged the men who were guilty of the horrible crime against the woman, this would have avoided the awesome slaughter of so many thousands. It is a lesson for us, a warning not to take sides with evil in any way. It will bring dire results, as well as being a dishonor to God. F B Meyer…JUDGES 20 NATIONAL INDIGNATION The Levite's appeal to Israel had an immediate effect. We are reminded of Saul's appeal (1Sa 11:7), and of the Fiery Cross in more recent times. Mizpeh had already become the rallying-place of the people (Judges 20:10-17). Judges 20:3-11 A judicial inquiry was instituted, which issued in the unanimous determination to avenge the tragedy which had filled all hearts with detestation (Judges 20:11). Amid the horror of a battlefield, there is one redeeming feature in the brave devotion of men for their country. And amid the horrors of this chapter, there is at least evidence that the conscience of Israel was growing in their detestation of the crime we have considered, though we must remember that it is always easier to denounce sins in other people, and vow vengeance against them, than to exterminate them in ourselves. Would that each reader would appropriate the words of Israel, "We will not any of us go to his tent till we have put away this evil from Israel" (Judges 20:10). Judges 20:12-14 Benjamin refused the opportunity of disavowing the perpetrators of the crime. -- This made the whole tribe accessory to the deed, and therefore liable to the punishment. Judges 20:17-29 The double defeat. -- It is at first difficult to understand why, in so good a cause, and after asking God in all sincerity for guidance on two occasions, the children of Israel fled in battle before Benjamin. But we must notice that it was only on the evening of the second day, in answer to fasting and prayer, that God promised to deliver Benjamin into their hand. And we must remember that God was compelled to speak in language that they could understand, and to teach them, through scenes of blood and tears, that higher morality to which they were yet to come. Judges 20:30-48 The terrible victory. -- This was a fearful act of vengeance. Benjamin was practically exterminated (Judges 20:47). One turns from this chapter with a sad consciousness that it is a leaf out of the chronicles of human history which has had, and is having, many counterparts. The story of the extermination of native races, the mowing down of tens of thousands by the introduction of spirits and of opium, may read as darkly in the annals of eternity. Well may creation travail, and the saints cry, Lord! how long! (F. B. Meyer. CHOICE NOTES ON JOSHUA THROUGH 2 KINGS)