Judges 20:7-8. Ye are The sons of that holy man, who, for one filthy action, left an eternal brand upon one of his own sons: a people in covenant with the holy God, whose honour you are obliged to vindicate, and who hath expressly commanded you to punish all such notorious enormities. We will not any of us go to his tent That is, his habitation, until we have revenged this injury. read more
Judges 20:9-10. We will go up by lot against it They probably cast lots who should go, and who should stay at home to provide the necessary supplies. According to all the folly that they have wrought That we may punish them as such wickedness deserves. In Israel This is added as an aggravation, that they should do that in Israel, or among God’s peculiar people, which was esteemed abominable even among the heathen. “The abhorrence of the crime” of the Gibeathites “here expressed, and the... read more
Judges 20:12. The tribes of Israel sent men, &c. Before they marched forward they sent an embassy to the Benjamites, to complain of the wickedness that had been committed, and the injury that had been done by some of their tribe, and to demand that the offenders might be delivered up to justice. This was a wise and just course, that the innocent might be separated from the guilty, and a fair opportunity given them of preventing their own ruin by doing what their duty, honour, and... read more
Judges 20:13. That we may put away evil from Israel Both the guilt and punishment wherein all Israel will be involved if they do not punish it. The children of Benjamin would not hearken From the pride of their hearts, which made them scorn to submit to their brethren; from a conceit of their own valour; and from God’s just judgment. Certainly the degeneracy among them must have been very great, and it is probable the offenders might be men of considerable rank and power, which made the... read more
Judges 20:15. Twenty and six thousand men “How does this agree with the following numbers; for all that were slain of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand and one hundred men, (Judges 20:35,) and there were only six hundred that survived, (Judges 20:47,) which make only twenty-five thousand and seven hundred?” We answer, The other thousand men were either left in some of their cities, where they were slain, (Judges 20:48,) or were cut off in the first two battles, wherein it is unreasonable... read more
Judges 20:16. Could sling stones at a hair’s breadth, and not miss A hyperbolical expression, signifying that they could do this with great exactness. This extraordinary skill in their arms (for it is likely they handled other weapons with the like dexterity) and their natural courage, imboldened the Benjamites with such a small number to undertake a war against such a vast multitude of their brethren, the other Israelites; which warlike disposition of theirs was foretold by Jacob, for he... read more
Judges 20:17 . The men of Israel were four hundred thousand That is, those that were here present, for it is probable they had a far greater number of men, being six hundred thousand before their entrance into Canaan. read more
Judges 20:18. The children of Israel arose Some sent in the name of all; and went up to the house of God To Shiloh, which was not far from Mizpeh; and asked counsel of God By Urim and Thummim, as they did Judges 1:1. The Targum has it, They asked counsel by the word of the Lord. Which of us shall go up first? This was asked to prevent emulations and contentions: but they do not ask whether they should go against them or not; nor yet do they seek to God for his help by prayer, and... read more
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
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 20:5-6
Judges 20:5-6. Slain me Except I would either submit to their unnatural lust, which I was resolved to withstand even unto death, or deliver up my concubine to them, which I was forced to do. Lewdness and folly That is, a lewd folly; most ignominious and impudent wickedness. read more