judges-20:1-18-esv

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:14

14-17. the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah—Allowing their valor to be ever so great, nothing but blind passion and unbending obstinacy could have impelled them to take the field against their brethren with such a disparity of numbers. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:16

16. left-handed; every one could sling stones at an hair-breadth, and not miss—The sling was one of the earliest weapons used in war. The Hebrew sling was probably similar to that of the Egyptian, consisting of a leather thong, broad in the middle, with a loop at one end, by which it was firmly held with the hand; the other end terminated in a lash, which was let slip when the stone was thrown. Those skilled in the use of it, as the Benjamites were, could hit the mark with unerring certainty. A... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:17

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:18

18-28. the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God—This consultation at Shiloh was right. But they ought to have done it at the commencement of their proceedings. Instead of this, all their plans were formed, and never doubting, it would seem, that the war was just and inevitable, the only subject of their inquiry related to the precedency of the tribes—a point which it is likely was discussed in the assembly. Had they asked counsel of God sooner, their expedition would have... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 20:1-11

Preparations to besiege Gibeah 20:1-11The phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" (Judges 20:1) became a common expression during Israel’s united monarchy and indicated the whole of Israel. Gilead refers to the part of Israel east of the Jordan River. The Mizpah referred to here (Judges 20:1) was the one in Benjamin just five miles north of Gibeah, not Mizpah of Gilead. Three times in this pericope the writer used the phrase "as one man" (Judges 20:1; Judges 20:8; Judges 20:11). This is one of the rare... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 20:1-48

2. The civil war in Israel ch. 20This chapter continues the story begun in chapter 19. The emphasis in chapter 19 was on moral degeneracy and that of chapter 20 is Israel’s political disorganization. One man’s sin in chapter 19 resulted in over 65,000 deaths in chapter 20 (cf. Joshua 7). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 20:12-19

Attempt at a peaceful settlement 20:12-19The 11 tribes wisely tried to settle this problem with the Benjamites peacefully (Judges 20:12; cf. Joshua 22:13-20). Unfortunately the Benjamites decided to support the residents of Gibeah who were their kinsmen. They should have sided with "their brothers" (Judges 20:13; Judges 20:23; Judges 20:28) who were the other Israelites. The Benjamites decided to support their kinsmen because they were their relatives, rather than standing with God for what was... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 20:1-48

The Slaughter of the BenjamitesThe Levite recounts his wrongs to a full assemblage of the tribes, who decree punishment upon Benjamin. Their first two attacks are unsuccessful, but the third results in the almost total extermination of the Benjamites.1-11. The Israelites assemble at Gibeah.1. Congregation] This word is only used in the later books of the OT. after Israel had ceased at the exile to be a nation: see intro. Judges 19). Dan] see on Judges 18:29. Beer-sheba] the southernmost point... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:1

(1) The congregation was gathered together.—This phrase is one which was familiar to the Israelites in the desert. It disappears after the days of Solomon (1 Kings 12:20).From Dan even to Beer-sheba.—This expression would be like “from John o’ Groat’s house to Land’s End “for England and Scotland (1 Samuel 3:18; 1 Samuel 17:11, &c.). Unless it be added by an anachronism, because it had become familiar when the Book of Judges was written, we should certainly infer from it that, early as were... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:2

(2) The chief.—The Hebrew word is pinnoth, “corner-stones,” as in 1 Samuel 14:38; Isaiah 19:13.Four hundred thousand.—Hence we learn the interesting fact that in their struggles against the Canaanites the number of the people had been diminished one-third—i.e., to a far greater extent than they had been diminished by the wanderings in the wilderness. For at the census in the first year of the wanderings their numbers were (including 35,400 of Benjamin) 603,550 (Numbers 1:46); and in the census... read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:14

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:16

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:17

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:18

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 20:1-11

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 20:1-48

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 20:12-19

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 20:1-48

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:2

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