Judges 20:45

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.

Judges 20:45 (KJV)

Context

The book of Judges records Israel’s repeated cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance after Joshua’s death. Judges 20 describes the civil war against the tribe of Benjamin, provoked by a horrific crime in Gibeah. Certain Benjamites abused and killed a Levite’s concubine, and the Levite sent her body throughout Israel to demand justice. The tribes gathered and, after initial defeats, God gave them victory over Benjamin.

This verse captures the final stage of that battle. The Benjamites, once confident, now fled toward the wilderness and the rock of Rimmon. Their retreat signals that divine judgment had turned against them. The other tribes killed five thousand on the highways and pursued them to Gidom, where two thousand more fell. The broader account in Judges 20:46 reports twenty-five thousand Benjamite warriors killed in total, with only six hundred surviving by hiding at Rimmon for four months (Judges 20:47).

Meaning

The phrase “they turned and fled” marks a decisive reversal. The Benjamites sought refuge in a barren, remote place, hoping to escape the consequences of their actions. Rimmon means “pomegranate,” a specific landmark near Gibeah. The wilderness here symbolizes desolation and judgment, not safety. The word “gleaned” is striking; it comes from harvesting, suggesting that the Israelites systematically gathered and destroyed the fleeing enemy, leaving no escape. The pursuit “unto Gidom” shows relentless justice, as two thousand more fell there.

Biblical connections

The rock of Rimmon may be the same place mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:2, where Saul stayed under a pomegranate tree. That connection reminds us that a place of temporary refuge cannot provide lasting safety. Only God is a true refuge. The total defeat of Benjamin fulfills the judgment Israel sought against the perpetrators of the crime in Judges 19. This event also illustrates the principle that unchecked sin leads to devastating outcomes, and that God’s justice, though delayed, is certain.

Application

This verse teaches the seriousness of sin and the need for accountability. Benjamin suffered severely because a few tolerated evil in their midst. Believers today must actively pursue justice and righteousness, standing against evil and caring for the wronged. The church must confront sin to maintain its purity, trusting that God will bring about righteousness in His time. This is a historical account, not a model for personal vengeance, but it shows the gravity of sin and the need for repentance and reconciliation.

Reflection

When we read of the Benjamites fleeing to the rock of Rimmon, we see the human instinct to seek safety in our own strength. Yet no rock or wilderness can hide us from the consequences of sin. The only true refuge is God, who offers forgiveness through repentance. Let this verse move us to examine our own hearts, to deal with sin seriously, and to rest in God’s justice and mercy.