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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 20:26

Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came unto the house of God ,.... This looks as if the whole body of the army, with other people from parts adjacent, went up to the tabernacle of God in Shiloh: and wept and sat there before the Lord ; not only wept, but continued weeping, and that not merely for their defeat, but for their sins, since it follows: and fasted that day until even ; afflicted their bodies with fasting, which was a token of the humiliation... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 20:27

And the children of Israel inquired of the Lord ,.... By the Word of the Lord, as the Targum, and which has the same expression in Judges 20:18 for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days; in Shiloh, where the tabernacle was. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 20:28

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days ,.... Before the ark, ministering before the Lord, which shows that this affair was long before the times of Samson, though placed after them; or otherwise Phinehas must have been more than three hundred years of age, which is not probable F18 Vid. Rainold. de lib. Apocryph. Praelect. 149,150. p. 345,353,354. . Phinehas's standing before the ark was the posture of the priest when he inquired of the Lord... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 20:26

And wept - Had they humbled themselves, fasted, and prayed, and offered sacrifices at first, they had not been discomfited. And fasted that day until even - This is the first place where fasting is mentioned as a religious ceremony, or as a means of obtaining help from God. And in this case, and many since, it has been powerfully effectual. At present it is but little used; a strong proof that self-denial is wearing out of fashion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 20:28

Phinehas , the son of Eleazar - This was the same Phinehas who is mentioned Numbers 25:7 , and consequently these transactions must have taken place shortly after the death of Joshua. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:26

Fasted until even - The regular time for ending a fast among the Hebrews was sunset (compare 1 Samuel 14:24; 2 Samuel 1:12). Such national fasts are called by the rabbis “fasts of the congregation,” and were enjoined in times of great affliction.On the offerings, see Lev. i., 3. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 20:28

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar ... - A most important chronological statement, which makes it probable that these events occurred within twenty years of the death of Joshua.To-morrow - The two former answers only bade them go up against Benjamin; now, for the first time, the promise is added, “Tomorrow,” etc. (compare Joshua 8:1). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 20:26

Judges 20:26. All the people went up Not only all the warriors, but other people. And wept, and sat before the Lord Sensible of their not having been before truly humbled for their sins, which they seem now to discover to have been the cause of their ill success. And fasted that day until even That they might afflict their souls, and become truly penitent. This they had not done before, at least not with such seriousness as they now did. And offered burnt-offerings To make atonement... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 20:27

Judges 20:27. The children of Israel inquired of the Lord They had inquired of the Lord before, but not as they ought to have done. For, confiding in the justice of their cause, and their vast forces, they seem to have made but slight and languid addresses to God before they undertook the war. read more

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