Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 20:26-48

We have here a full account of the complete victory which the Israelites obtained over the Benjamites in the third engagement: the righteous cause was victorious at last, when the managers of it amended what had been amiss; for, when a good cause suffers, it is for want of good management. Observe then how the victory was obtained, and how it was pursued. I. How the victory was obtained. Two things they had trusted too much to in the former engagements?the goodness of their cause and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 20:43

Thus they enclosed the Benjaminites round about ,.... Surrounded them on all sides, the army of Israel being posted in different places, and people coming out of all the cities to their assistance. Josephus F1 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 2. sect. 10.) says, they were forced into, and cooped up, in a hollow place in a valley, so that they could not escape: and chased them ; or "caused to pursue" F2 הרדיפהו "persequi fecerunt eum", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "vel eos",... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:43

The language and construction of this verse is poetical; it seems to be an extract from a song, and to describe, in the language of poetry, the same event which the preceding verse described in that of prose.With ease - Or “rest” Numbers 10:33; Psalms 95:11. The expression is very obscure. The margin takes it as the name of a place. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 20:1-48

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 Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 20:42-43

Judges 20:42-43. But the battle overtook them, &c.— Houbigant renders this, but the battle overtook them, from the liers in wait, who came, surrounded them, and destroyed them on every side; moreover they pursued them, and trod them under foot, from Noah, even to the east side of Gibeah. See his note. REFLECTIONS.—Confounded at their repeated losses, the whole congregation assemble before the Lord at Shiloh. 1. In deep affliction they compass God's altar, humbling their souls under a sense... 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 20:29-48

The Israelites’ final victory 20:29-48Judges 20:29-36 a give an overview of the battle, and Judges 20:36-48 provide a more detailed explanation. Israel’s strategy was similar to what God had specified against Ai (Joshua 8:1-29) and what Abimelech used against Shechem (Judges 9:33-44).The location of Baal-tamar is unknown (Judges 20:33), but Marreh-geba was evidently Geba, which stood a few miles northeast of Gibeah. Rimmon (pomegranate, Judges 20:45) was farther to the north and east of Bethel.... 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 20:43

(43) A strong and poetic description of the total rout and massacre which ensued.With ease.—There is no “with” in the Hebrew, but perhaps it may be understood. The LXX. and Luther make it mean “from Noria.” Others render it “in their rest,” i.e., in the places to which they fled for refuge. The Vulg. paraphrases it: “Nor was there any repose of the dying.” But the whole verse is obscure. read more

Group of Brands