Analysis of Judges Chapter 20
Judges Chapter 20 recounts a dark and intense episode in the history of Israel. The chapter describes the Israelites’ response to the brutal crime committed in Gibeah, a city of the Benjamites. This chapter is a profound exploration of justice, communal responsibility, and the severe consequences of moral and social corruption. By examining the verses, we can uncover the underlying themes and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by the people of Israel during this period.
Verses 1-3: Initial Assembly
The chapter begins with a significant gathering:
“Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the Lord in Mizpeh. And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword. (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?”
The unity displayed by the tribes of Israel is remarkable. The phrase “gathered together as one man” emphasizes the collective outrage and solidarity in seeking justice for the atrocity that occurred. The location, Mizpeh, is significant as a place of assembly and decision-making before the Lord. This collective response underscores the gravity of the crime and the shared responsibility of the Israelite tribes in addressing such moral breaches within their community.
Verses 4-7: The Levite’s Account
The Levite, whose concubine was the victim, recounts the events leading to the crime:
“And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.”
The Levite’s gruesome act of dismembering his concubine and sending the pieces throughout Israel was a shocking call to action. His account paints the men of Gibeah as perpetrators of an unspeakable crime, “committed lewdness and folly in Israel.” It is important to note the cultural and societal context; the Levite’s actions, though abhorrent by modern standards, were intended to incite a collective response to the violation of social and religious norms. This passage highlights the extreme measures taken to awaken the conscience of the nation and to demand communal justice.
Verses 8-11: The Decision to Go to War
The Israelites decide on a course of action:
“And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house. But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it; And we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel. So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.”
The unity and resolve of the Israelites are evident as they refuse to return home until justice is served. They organize themselves methodically, selecting men by lot to ensure everyone is involved in the response. This distribution of responsibility reflects their commitment to collective action and shared accountability. The use of the word “folly” reiterates the moral outrage shared by the tribes and their determination to address the corruption within their ranks.
Verses 12-14: The Benjamites’ Defiance
The response of the Benjamites is critical:
“And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you? Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel: But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.”
Here, we encounter a significant turning point. Instead of cooperating with the larger body of Israel and surrendering the guilty men, the tribe of Benjamin chooses to protect them, escalating the situation into a full-blown conflict. This defiance by the Benjamites introduces the theme of tribal loyalty and pride above collective justice. The refusal to address the wickedness within their own tribe leads to devastating consequences, highlighting the dangers of internal division and moral blindness.
Verses 15-17: The Preparations for Battle
Both sides prepare for the impending conflict:
“And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men. Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss. And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.”
The disparity in numbers between the Benjamites and the combined forces of Israel is striking. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Benjamites are noted for their skilled warriors, particularly the left-handed stone slingers, which indicates their prowess and the formidable challenge they pose. This passage sets the stage for a series of intense and costly battles, emphasizing the tragic potential of internal strife and the high price of pride and stubbornness.
Verses 18-25: The First Two Days of Battle
The first confrontations are tragic for Israel:
“And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up first. And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah. And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah. And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. And the children of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until even, and asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the Lord said, Go up against him. And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.”
The Israelites seek divine guidance before engaging in battle, and yet they suffer heavy losses on the first two days, despite God’s directive. These defeats are humbling for the Israelites and raise questions about divine justice and the interpretation of God’s will. The persistence of the Israelites, encouraged by seeking God’s counsel and expressing their grief, exemplifies their commitment to righteousness and the elimination of evil, even in the face of severe adversity.
Verses 26-28: Seeking God’s Favor
The Israelites turn to deeper penitence:
“Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the Lord, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And the children of Israel inquired of the Lord, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the Lord said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.”
The Israelites’ fast, offerings, and continued weeping signify a deeper spiritual introspection and a sincere plea for divine intervention. The presence of the Ark of the Covenant and the high priestly lineage of Phinehas highlight the solemnity of the moment. This period of reflection and repentance aligns the Israelites more closely with God’s will, preparing them spiritually for the ensuing battle. It underscores the importance of spiritual humility and seeking God’s favor earnestly before confronting evil.
Verses 29-36: The Decisive Battle
The final strategy is implemented:
“And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah. And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times. And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel. And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways. And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah. And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them. And the Lord smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjaminites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword. So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjaminites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.”
The strategic shift in Israel’s approach leads to the downfall of the Benjamites. The use of ambushes and tactical maneuvers contrasts with the previous direct confrontations, showcasing a blend of divine guidance and human strategy. This decisive victory, attributed to the Lord smiting Benjamin, reinforces the belief in divine justice prevailing through righteous action and humility. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of moral failure and internal strife within a community.
Verses 37-48: The Aftermath
The aftermath is devastating:
“And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle. But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven. And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them. Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them. Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising. And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valor. And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valor. But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months. And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.”
The chapter concludes with a near-complete annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. This tragic outcome underscores the catastrophic impact of sin and division among the people of Israel. The burning of the cities and the slaughtering of the inhabitants illustrate the thoroughness of the consequences of rebellion and moral corruption. The survival of only six hundred Benjamites points to a remnant, allowing for potential future reconciliation and transformation.
Conclusion
Judges Chapter 20 is a harrowing narrative that delves into themes of justice, communal responsibility, and the severe repercussions of internal corruption and pride. The Israelites’ journey from moral outrage to collective action, through severe losses, deep penitence, and ultimate victory, offers profound insights into the complexities of justice and the necessity of humility and divine guidance. This chapter serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of societal integrity and the enduring need for righteous leadership and communal accountability within the covenant community.