Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:2
The chief - literally, “the corner stones.” (Compare 1 Samuel 14:38.) read more
Judges-20:1-18-esv
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:8
They bound themselves not to break up and disperse until they had punished the wickedness of Gibeah. read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:9
By lot - To determine who should go up first Judges 20:18. The shape of the ground probably made it impossible for the whole force to operate at once; and the question of spoil would have something to do with the arrangement. (Compare 1 Samuel 30:22-25.) read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:10
In order to make it possible for the force of Israel to keep the field, and do to the men of Gibeah what their wickedness deserved, every tenth man (40,000 in all) was appointed to find provisions for the whole army. read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:15-17
Comparing the numbers here with those in Numbers 1:0; Numbers 26:0, it is seen that in the case both of the Benjamites and the Israelites the numbers are diminished by about one-third, i. e., they appear as about two-thirds only of what they were at the last numbering in the plains of Moab. This diminution seems to indicate disturbed and harassing times. With this agrees the mention of the cities, as containing the whole Benjamite population. The inference is that the open country and unwalled... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:18
Went up to the house of God - It should be “to Bethel.” At this time the ark was at Bethel (compare 1 Samuel 10:3), and not at Shiloh. It is not unlikely that though Shiloh was the chief residence of the ark Jeremiah 7:12, yet the tabernacle, being moveable, was, either at stated times, or as occasion required, moved to where the Judge resided, or the congregation assembled (compare 1 Samuel 7:16). On the present occasion the ark may have been moved to Bethel for the convenience of proximity to... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 20:1
Judges 20:1. All the children of Israel went out Namely, the principal persons out of their respective cities, who were appointed to represent the rest. As one man That is, with one consent. Dan, &c. Dan was the northern border of the land, near Lebanon; and Beer-sheba the southern border. Gilead Beyond Jordan, where Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh were. To the Lord As to the Lord’s tribunal; for God was not only present in the place where the ark and tabernacle were, but also ... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 20:2
Judges 20:2. Four hundred thousand The number is here set down, to show their zeal and forwardness in punishing such a villany; the strange blindness of the Benjamites, that durst oppose so great and united a body; and that the success of battles depends not upon great numbers, seeing this great host was twice defeated by the Benjamites. read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 20:3
Judges 20:3. The children of Benjamin heard Like persons unconcerned and resolved, they neither went nor sent thither: partly through their own pride and stubbornness; partly because, as they were loath to give up any of their brethren to justice, so they presumed the other tribes would never proceed to war against them; and partly from a divine infatuation, hardening that wicked tribe to their own destruction. Tell us They speak to the Levite, and his servant, and his host, who doubtless... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:1
The “congregation” is the technical term for the whole community of the Israelite people. Its occurrence here is an indication of the early date of these transactions.From Dan to Beer-sheba - We cannot safely infer from this expression that the settlement of Dan, recorded in Judges 18:0 had taken place at this time. It only proves that in the writer’s time, from Dan to Beer-sheba was a proverbial expression for all Israel (compare the marginal reference).With the land of Gilead - Meaning all... read more