Judges 21:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 21:1-15

We may observe in these verses, I. The ardent zeal which the Israelites had expressed against the wickedness of the men of Gibeah, as it was countenanced by the tribe of Benjamin. Occasion is here given to mention two instances of their zeal on this occasion, which we did not meet with before:?1. While the general convention of the states was gathering together, and was waiting for a full house before they would proceed, they bound themselves with the great execration, which they called the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 21:1

Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh ,.... Where they were there convened, before the war began; after they had heard the account the Levite gave of the affair, which brought them thither; and after they had sent messengers to Benjamin to deliver up the men of Gibeah, that had committed the wickedness; and after they perceived that Benjamin did not hearken to their demand, but prepared to make war with them; then, as they resolved on the destruction of Gibeah, and of all the cities that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 21:1

Now the men of Israel had sworn - Of this oath we had not heard before; but it appears they had commenced this war with a determination to destroy the Benjamites utterly, and that if any of them escaped the sword no man should be permitted to give him his daughter to wife. By these means the remnant of the tribe must soon have been annihilated. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 21:1

Judges 21:1. The men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh When they first assembled there in the beginning of this war, after the whole tribe had espoused the quarrel of the men of Gibeah. Saying They do not here swear the utter extirpation of the tribe, which fell out beyond their expectation, but only not to give their daughters to those men who should survive; justly esteeming them for their villany to be as bad as heathen, with whom they were forbidden to marry. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 21:1-25

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 21:1

had sworn: i.e. before the fighting of Judges 20:0 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Judges 21:1

PROCURING WIVES IN ORDER TO SAVE THE WHOLE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN;THE REMORSE OF ISRAEL (Judges 21:1-7)The enormity of the disaster of that war finally sank into the minds and hearts of the leaders of Israel. Oh yes, they had done it all, they claimed, according to the will of God, but as Matthew Henry remarked:"They who had spared the Canaanites in many places, who were devoted to destruction by Divine command (finding countless excuses for doing so), could not find in their hearts the willingness... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 21:1

CHAP. XXI. The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin: they send to Jabesh-gilead, and destroy the inhabitants, except four hundred virgins, who are married to so many of the remaining Benjamites; the rest of whom afterwards carry off two hundred virgins from Shiloh, and marry them. Before Christ 1426. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 21:1-4

The plight of the Benjamites 21:1-4The "wife oath" that the Israelites had taken at Mizpah (Judges 20:8-11) may have had some connection with God’s commands concerning Israel’s treatment of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1-3). Israel was to destroy these enemies utterly and not intermarry with them. However, this was how Israel was to deal with Canaanites, not her own brethren. Obviously the remaining Benjamites needed wives and children to perpetuate the tribe."That they justify their attempt... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 21:1-25

3. The preservation of Benjamin ch. 21In chapter 20 Israel tried desperately to destroy the tribe of Benjamin. In Genesis 42:36 Jacob feared that Joseph’s brothers would do something that would result in Benjamin’s death. What he feared then almost happened now. In chapter 21 Israel tried just as hard to deliver this tribe from the extinction that her own excessive vengeance threatened to accomplish. The anarchy of God’s people complicated the problems that her apostasy had initiated. The moral... read more

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