"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."
Historical background:In this chapter, the people of Israel had gathered together to confront the tribe of Benjamin due to a horrific incident involving the Levite’s concubine (Judges 19). The tribe of Benjamin refused to hand over the wicked men responsible for the crime, resulting in a civil war. The verse describes a battle where the men of Benjamin initially gained the upper hand and killed about thirty men from the other tribes.
Observations:
- The children of Benjamin went out against the people:The tribe of Benjamin took the offensive, engaging in battle against the rest of Israel.
- Were drawn away from the city:Benjamin’s men left the safety of their city and engaged in combat outside its walls.
- Began to smite of the people and kill, as at other times:This implies that the tribe of Benjamin had previous military successes and experience in battle.
- In the highways… one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field:The highways mentioned were routes leading to important locations like the house of God (likely referring to Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located) and Gibeah (the city of Benjamin).
- About thirty men of Israel:The tribe of Benjamin managed to kill around thirty men from the other tribes during this initial engagement.
Lessons and applications:
- Tragedy resulting from sin:The events in Judges 20 serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of sin and the breakdown of morality. The entire incident started because of the immoral actions of wicked men.
- The danger of spiritual decline:The book of Judges emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to God and His commands. The spiritual decline of Israel led to a state of chaos and moral decay, culminating in the civil war between the tribes.
- The need for unity:The civil war between Benjamin and the other tribes reflects the destructive nature of internal divisions. Unity among God’s people is crucial for their well-being and effectiveness in fulfilling His purposes.
- The consequences of disobedience:Israel’s battles and losses were a result of their disobedience and departure from God’s ways. It is a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God’s commands.
Overall, Judges 20:31 highlights the tragic consequences of sin and spiritual decline while underscoring the need for unity, obedience, and reliance on God’s guidance in the face of challenges.
