Judges 20:45

And they turned and fled toward the wildernesse vnto the rocke of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the high wayes fiue thousand men: and pursued hard after them vnto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. Judges 20:45 (KJV)

The book of Judges is set during the period after Joshua’s leadership, when Israel was settling in the Promised Land. It was a time characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 20 recounts the account of the Israelites’ war against the tribe of Benjamin because of the heinous crime committed by some of its members.

In this verse the Israelites have been engaged in a fierce battle with the tribe of Benjamin. The conflict arose because a Levite’s concubine was abused and killed by certain wicked men from Benjamin. The Levite cut her body into twelve pieces and sent them to all the tribes of Israel, calling for justice. As a result the Israelites gathered together to confront the tribe of Benjamin, seeking to avenge the evil committed.

The phrase “they turned and fled” indicates that the Benjamites, who had initially achieved some success, were forced to retreat. Their flight signifies a shift in the battle’s momentum and demonstrates that God’s judgment was coming upon them.

The fleeing Benjamites sought refuge “in the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon.” The wilderness often symbolizes desolation, emptiness, and a place of testing in Scripture. Rimmon, meaning “pomegranate,” refers to a specific landmark, highlighting that the Benjamites were looking for shelter in a barren and remote place, hoping to escape the consequences of their actions.

The other tribes pursued them relentlessly. The verse records that five thousand men were gleaned on the highways, and the pursuit continued “unto Gidom,” where another two thousand Benjamites were slain. While the broader narrative (Judges 20:46) records the loss of two thousand at Gidom, the specific figure of five thousand on the highways is noted in this verse.

Lessons from Judges 20:45 include the seriousness of sin and the need for accountability; the tribe of Benjamin suffered severe repercussions because a few individuals tolerated evil within their midst; and God’s justice was displayed as He granted victory to the other tribes of Israel.

Application for believers: we should actively pursue justice and righteousness in our communities, standing against evil and advocating for those who have been wronged; we must address and confront sin within the Church to maintain its purity; and we can trust in God’s ultimate justice and deliverance, knowing He will bring about righteousness in His time.

Remember to read the entire context of Judges 20 to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this passage and its implications within the larger narrative of the book.