Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 21:1-15

We may observe in these verses, I. The ardent zeal which the Israelites had expressed against the wickedness of the men of Gibeah, as it was countenanced by the tribe of Benjamin. Occasion is here given to mention two instances of their zeal on this occasion, which we did not meet with before:?1. While the general convention of the states was gathering together, and was waiting for a full house before they would proceed, they bound themselves with the great execration, which they called the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 21:3

And said, O Lord God of Israel ,.... Jehovah, the only living and true God, the Being of beings, eternal, immutable, omnipotent and omnipresent, the God of all Israel, of the twelve tribes of Israel, their covenant God and Father; who had shown favour to them in such a peculiar and gracious manner, as he had not to other nations, and therefore hoped he would still have a kind regard unto them, and suffer them to expostulate with him in the following manner: why is this come to pass in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 21:3

Why is this come to pass - This was a very impertinent question. They knew well enough how it came to pass. It was right that the men of Gibeah should be punished, and it was right that they who vindicated them should share in that punishment; but they carried their revenge too far, they endeavored to exterminate both man and beast, Judges 20:48 . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 21:3

The repetition of the name of Israel is very striking in connection with the title of Yahweh as “God of Israel.” It contains a very forcible pleading of the covenant, and memorial of the promises. The very name “Israel” comprehended all the twelve tribes; with one of them blotted out, the remnant would not be Israel. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 21:3

Judges 21:3. Why is this come to pass? They had no reason to ask the cause, or by what means it came to pass, which they knew too well; but this is a common expression of grief or complaint. Strange! when they uttered this for the loss of the tribe which they imagined must be extinct, because there were no women left to match with the six hundred men who had saved themselves in the rock Rimmon, that they did not pour forth the deepest expressions of sorrow and contrition for their own... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 21:1-25

The war with Benjamin (19:1-21:25)A Levite whose concubine had run away from him came to Judah looking for her. When they were reunited, her father was so pleased he did not want them to leave. They therefore stayed with him a few days, then set out to return to the Levite’s home in Ephraim (19:1-9).The route back to Ephraim took the couple through the tribal territory of Benjamin. Looking for somewhere to sleep the night, they preferred not to stay in Jerusalem, which was inhabited by... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 21:1-4

The plight of the Benjamites 21:1-4The "wife oath" that the Israelites had taken at Mizpah (Judges 20:8-11) may have had some connection with God’s commands concerning Israel’s treatment of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1-3). Israel was to destroy these enemies utterly and not intermarry with them. However, this was how Israel was to deal with Canaanites, not her own brethren. Obviously the remaining Benjamites needed wives and children to perpetuate the tribe."That they justify their attempt... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 21:1-25

3. The preservation of Benjamin ch. 21In chapter 20 Israel tried desperately to destroy the tribe of Benjamin. In Genesis 42:36 Jacob feared that Joseph’s brothers would do something that would result in Benjamin’s death. What he feared then almost happened now. In chapter 21 Israel tried just as hard to deliver this tribe from the extinction that her own excessive vengeance threatened to accomplish. The anarchy of God’s people complicated the problems that her apostasy had initiated. The moral... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 21:1-25

Wives are given to the Benjamite Survivors1-6. The lamentation for Benjamin.1. Had sworn] see on Judges 17:2. All the women and children in Benjamin have been massacred: cp. Judges 21:16. 2. House of God] RV ’Bethel,’ as in Judges 20:26, Judges 20:31. 4. Burnt offerings and peace offerings] see on Judges 20:26. 5. Lit. ’the great curse had been pronounced upon,’ etc. 6. Repented them] see on Judges 2:18.7-25. The Benjamites provided with wives.8. Jabesh-gilead] i.e. Jabesh in Gilead; cp. 1... read more

Group of Brands