Judges 20:29-48

The Israelites’ final victory 20:29-48

Judges 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. The site of Gidom is still unknown. The writer carefully recorded that it was the Lord who struck Benjamin (Judges 20:35).

"The word for ’whole’ (kalil, Judges 20:40) is often used of ’whole burnt offerings’ (Deuteronomy 33:10) and is in fact used of burning a town whose people have become involved in idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:16). The entire town [of Gibeah] literally became a burnt offering!" [Note: Ibid., p. 500.]

The Israelites did to the Benjamites as they had done to the Canaanites who were under the ban (Judges 20:48). This was excessively severe treatment contrary to God’s will (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 19:18).

This chapter illustrates the far-reaching consequences of a single sexual sin (Judges 19:1). It also reveals the inverted values of people who did not acknowledge God as their king. Unwarranted protection of a neighbor replaced love for God in the warring factions of the nation. Excessive loyalty to brothers replaced loyalty to God. Vengeance and overkill replaced adherence to God’s gracious will. Furthermore we see here that God’s guidance may involve discipline for the independent as well as punishment for the rebellious. However, we should not conclude that one person’s problems always have their roots in his or her personal sins (cf. Job; John 9:2-3).