"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."
This verse is found within the context of the account of the Israelites’ battle against the tribe of Benjamin. The book of Judges:provides a historical record of the period after the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land, when they were led by a series of judges. During this time, the people of Israel frequently fell into a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.
In Judges 20:the narrative centers around a grave incident involving the Levite’s concubine from the previous chapter. The woman was abused and eventually died as a result of the heinous acts committed against her by certain men from the tribe of Benjamin. The other tribes of Israel rallied together to address this injustice and sought justice for the woman’s death.
As the Israelites gathered for battle against Benjamin, the initial engagement did not go well for the other tribes. However, in Judges 20:39:we read that when the men of Israel “retired” or withdrew from the battle, the Benjamites misjudged the situation. They mistakenly believed that the Israelites were retreating and assumed victory was theirs. As a result, the Benjamites pursued and attacked the Israelite forces, managing to kill about thirty men.
This verse highlights the unpredictability of the battle and the confusion that arose among the tribes. It shows how the Benjamites misread the situation and were deceived into thinking that the tide had turned in their favour. However, their initial success was short-lived, as the subsequent events in the chapter reveal that the Israelites regrouped, sought guidance from God, and ultimately achieved victory over Benjamin.
From a broader perspective, this verse demonstrates the consequences of misjudgment and the dangers of making assumptions based on appearances or initial outcomes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking wisdom and discernment, both in battle and in life, rather than relying solely on human understanding. Additionally, it emphasises the need for humility, as pride and overconfidence can lead to detrimental outcomes.
Ultimately, the events depicted in Judges 20:39:contribute to the larger narrative of the book of Judges, highlighting the challenges faced by the Israelites during this period and the faithfulness of God in delivering them from their enemies.
