Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 21:21
Judges 21:21. Daughters of Shiloh By whom we may understand not those only who were born or settled inhabitants there, but all those who were come thither upon this occasion, and for a time sojourned there: for although only the males were obliged to go up to the three solemn feasts, yet the women had liberty to go, and those who were most devout did usually go. Vineyards Which were near to the green where they danced. Catch Take them away by force, which they might the better do,... read more
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 21:19
Judges 21:19. A feast Probably it was the feast of tabernacles, which they celebrated with more than ordinary joy. And that feast was the only season at which the Jewish virgins were allowed to dance. But even this was not mixed dancing. No men danced with these daughters of Shiloh. Nor did the married women so forget their gravity as to join with them. However, their dancing thus in public made them an easy prey: whence Bishop Hall observes, “The ambushes of evil spirits carry away many... read more