“And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.”
This verse is part of a larger narrative found in the book of Judges. To fully grasp the context of Judges 20:19, we need to understand the events leading up to it.
The book of Judges recounts the period of Israel’s history after the death of Joshua, during which the Israelites were governed by a series of judges who were raised up by God to deliver them from their oppressors. During this time, Israel went through cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.
In the 19th chapter of Judges, we read about a tragic incident where a Levite man and his concubine traveled through the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. They arrived in the city of Gibeah, which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, hoping to find lodging for the night. However, the men of the city, described as wicked and perverse, demanded to have sexual relations with the Levite.
The Levite, seeking to protect his concubine, offered them his virgin daughter and his concubine instead. The men of the city took the concubine and abused her all night until she died. The Levite, deeply disturbed by what had happened, cut her body into twelve pieces and sent a piece to each of the twelve tribes of Israel as a symbol of the wickedness that had occurred.
Upon receiving the pieces of the concubine, the children of Israel were filled with righteous indignation and assembled together to address this abhorrent act committed in Gibeah by the men of Benjamin. The tribes of Israel gathered as one and encamped against Gibeah, preparing for war.
Judges 20:19 describes the response of the children of Israel the following morning. After a night of deliberation and preparation, they rose up and encamped against Gibeah, ready to confront the tribe of Benjamin and bring justice for the terrible crime committed.
This verse highlights the unity and resolve of the other tribes of Israel in response to the evil actions of a few individuals. It reveals their determination to seek justice and uphold the moral standards set by God. The incident in Gibeah had appalled the nation and threatened the cohesion of the tribes, leading them to come together in pursuit of righteousness.
It’s important to note that the events described in Judges 20 illustrate the moral and spiritual decline of the Israelites during this period. The book of Judges repeatedly emphasizes the need for a righteous leader to guide the people and the dangers of turning away from God’s ways. The narrative of Gibeah serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of forsaking God’s law and highlights the importance of upholding justice and righteousness.
In summary, Judges 20:19 portrays the collective response of the children of Israel to the abominable acts committed in Gibeah. It highlights their resolve to confront the tribe of Benjamin and seek justice for the heinous crime. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of unity, justice, and the consequences of moral decline.
