---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Judges 20"
description: "CHAPTER 20   :-. THE LEVITE,
IN A GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, DECLARES
HIS WRONG. 1, 2. all . . . the congregation was
gathered as one man—In consequence of the imm"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/judges/20"
---

CHAPTER 20

. THE LEVITE,
IN A GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, DECLARES
HIS WRONG.

**1, 2. all . . . the congregation was
gathered as one man**—In consequence of the immense sensation the
horrid tragedy of Gibeah had produced, a national assembly was
convened, at which "the chief of all the people" from all
parts of the land, including the eastern tribes, appeared as
delegates.
**Mizpeh**—the place of
convention (for there were other Mizpehs), was in a town situated on
the confines of Judah and Benjamin ([Joshua 15:38](../../../kjv/joshua/15/38);
[Joshua 18:26](../../../kjv/joshua/18/26)). Assemblies were
frequently held there afterwards ([1 Samuel 7:11](../../../kjv/1-samuel/7/11);
[1 Samuel 10:17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/10/17)); and it was but a short
distance from Shiloh. The phrase, "unto the Lord," may be
taken in its usual sense, as denoting consultation of the oracle.
This circumstance, together with the convention being called "the
assembly of the people of God," seems to indicate, that amid the
excited passions of the nation, those present felt the profound
gravity of the occasion and adopted the best means of maintaining a
becoming deportment.

**3. Now the children of Benjamin
heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh**—Some
suppose that Benjamin had been passed over, the crime having been
perpetrated within the territory of that tribe []; and that, as the concubine's corpse had been divided into
twelve pieces [[Judges 19:29](../../../kjv/judges/19/29)] —two
had been sent to Manasseh, one respectively to the western and
eastern divisions. It is more probable that Benjamin had received a
formal summons like the other tribes, but chose to treat it with
indifference, or haughty disdain.

**4-7. the Levite, the husband of the
woman that was slain, answered and said**—The injured husband
gave a brief and unvarnished recital of the tragic outrage, from
which it appears that force was used, which he could not resist. His
testimony was doubtless corroborated by those of his servant and the
old Ephraimite. There was no need of strong or highly colored
description to work upon the feelings of the audience. The facts
spoke for themselves and produced one common sentiment of detestation
and vengeance.
. THEIR DECREE.

**8-13. all the people arose as one
man**—The extraordinary unanimity that prevailed shows, that
notwithstanding great disorders had broken out in many parts, the
people were sound at the core; and remembering their national
covenant with God, they now felt the necessity of wiping out so foul
a stain on their character as a people. It was resolved that the
inhabitants of Gibeah should be subjected to condign punishment. But
the resolutions were conditional. For as the common law of nature and
nations requires that an inquiry should be made and satisfaction
demanded, before committing an act of hostility or vengeance,
messengers were despatched through the whole territory of Benjamin,
demanding the immediate surrender or execution of the delinquents.
The request was just and reasonable; and by refusing it the
Benjamites virtually made themselves a party in the quarrel. It must
not be supposed that the people of this tribe were insensible or
indifferent to the atrocious character of the crime that had been
committed on their soil. But their patriotism or their pride was
offended by the hostile demonstration of the other tribes. The
passions were inflamed on both sides; but certainly the Benjamites
incurred an awful responsibility by the attitude of resistance they
assumed.

**14-17. the children of Benjamin
gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah**—Allowing
their valor to be ever so great, nothing but blind passion and
unbending obstinacy could have impelled them to take the field
against their brethren with such a disparity of numbers.

**16. left-handed; every one could
sling stones at an hair-breadth, and not miss**—The sling was one
of the earliest weapons used in war. The Hebrew sling was probably
similar to that of the Egyptian, consisting of a leather thong, broad
in the middle, with a loop at one end, by which it was firmly held
with the hand; the other end terminated in a lash, which was let slip
when the stone was thrown. Those skilled in the use of it, as the
Benjamites were, could hit the mark with unerring certainty. A good
sling could carry its full force to the distance of two hundred
yards.
. THE
ISRAELITES LOSE
FORTY THOUSAND.

**14-17. the children of Benjamin
gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah**—Allowing
their valor to be ever so great, nothing but blind passion and
unbending obstinacy could have impelled them to take the field
against their brethren with such a disparity of numbers.

**18-28. the children of Israel arose,
and went up to the house of God**—This consultation at Shiloh was
right. But they ought to have done it at the commencement of their
proceedings. Instead of this, all their plans were formed, and never
doubting, it would seem, that the war was just and inevitable, the
only subject of their inquiry related to the precedency of the
tribes—a point which it is likely was discussed in the assembly.
Had they asked counsel of God sooner, their expedition would have
been conducted on a different principle—most probably by reducing
the number of fighting men, as in the case of Gideon's army. As it
was, the vast number of volunteers formed an excessive and unwieldy
force, unfit for strenuous and united action against a small,
compact, and well-directed army. A panic ensued, and the confederate
tribes, in two successive engagements, sustained great losses. These
repeated disasters (notwithstanding their attack on Benjamin had been
divinely authorized) overwhelmed them with shame and sorrow. Led to
reflection, they became sensible of their guilt in not repressing
their national idolatries, as well as in too proudly relying on their
superior numbers and the precipitate rashness of this expedition.
Having humbled themselves by prayer and fasting, as well as observed
the appointed method of expiating their sins, they were assured of
acceptance as well as of victory. The presence and services of
Phinehas on this occasion help us to ascertain the chronology thus
far, that the date of the occurrence must be fixed shortly after the
death of Joshua.
. THEY DESTROY
ALL THE BENJAMITES,
EXCEPT SIX
HUNDRED.

**29-48. And Israel set liers-in-wait
round about Gibeah**—A plan was formed of taking that city by
stratagem, similar to that employed in the capture of Ai [].

**33. Baal-tamar**—a palm-grove,
where Baal was worshipped. The main army of the confederate tribes
was drawn up there.
**out of the meadows of
Gibeah**—*Hebrew,* "the caves of Gibeah"; a hill
in which the ambuscades lay hid.

**34. there came against Gibeah ten
thousand chosen men**—This was a third division, different both
from the ambuscade and the army, who were fighting at Baal-tamar. The
general account stated in [Judges 20:35](../../../kjv/judges/20/35)
is followed by a detailed narrative of the battle, which is continued
to the end of the chapter.

**29-48. And Israel set liers-in-wait
round about Gibeah**—A plan was formed of taking that city by
stratagem, similar to that employed in the capture of Ai [].

**45. they turned and fled toward the
wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon**—Many of the fugitives found
refuge in the caves of this rocky mountain, which is situated to the
northeast of Beth-el. Such places are still sought as secure retreats
in times of danger; and until the method of blowing up rocks by
gunpowder became known, a few men could in such caves sustain a siege
for months.

**46. all which fell that day of
Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men**—On comparing this
with [Judges 20:35](../../../kjv/judges/20/35), it will be seen
that the loss is stated here in round numbers and is confined only to
that of the third day. We must conclude that a thousand had fallen
during the two previous engagements, in order to make the aggregate
amount given ([Judges 20:15](../../../kjv/judges/20/15)).

**29-48. And Israel set liers-in-wait
round about Gibeah**—A plan was formed of taking that city by
stratagem, similar to that employed in the capture of Ai [].

**48. the men of Israel turned again
upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the
sword**—This frightful vengeance, extending from Gibeah to the
whole territory of Benjamin, was executed under the impetuous impulse
of highly excited passions. But doubtless the Israelites were only
the agents of inflicting the righteous retributions of God; and the
memory of this terrible crisis, which led almost to the extermination
of a whole tribe, was conducive to the future good of the whole
nation.

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