They came up with something of a strange solution later in Judges 21. So, that’s why I say that it was kind of strange question for Israel to ask in Judges 21:3, “ O LORD God of Israel, why has this come to pass in Israel, that today there should be one tribe missing in Israel?” They knew why what they really wanted to know was “What should we do about it?” Surely, that was the work of the men of Gibeah, not the direct work of God.
This would essentially mean that the tribe would die out, with so few men remaining and unable to intermarry with the other tribes.
Then in Judges chapter 21, the tribes of Israel decided that they would refuse to intermarry with the people of the tribe of Benjamin. This too-severe judgment against the tribe of Benjamin would soon be regretted by Israel. The tribe of Benjamin was undeniably guilty, but there was no need for the complete slaughter as described here. The end of Judges 20 describes a tremendous slaughter, that left only 600 surviving soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin. This was paying a very high cost for doing what was right – dealing with a tribe that was disobedient and covering for terrible sin.Īfter the second day of battle, and after 40,000 were lost in two terrible days – Israel sincerely repented, and God was with them on the third day of battle. Yet on the second day of battle, they lost another 18,000 men. Apparently there were few men from the tribe of Benjamin killed, because they weren’t even mentioned.Īfter the defeat of that first day, the men of Israel sought the Lord. On the first day of battle, the soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin killed 22,000 Israelites (from the other tribes, of course).
This was an event we don’t often talk about – a short civil war among the tribes of Israel before they ever had a king. The tribe of Benjamin committed a great sin when they put loyalty to their tribe before loyalty to God and His law. When they came to hold the people of the city of Gibeah to account, the rest of the tribe of Benjamin protected Gibeah, instead of giving them over to justice. The judgement came through the other tribes of Israel. In Judges 20, the tribe of Benjamin was judged for a terrible crime committed in one of their cities – the city of Gibeah. I’m sure there’s a reason why I’m wrong, but would you mind explaining? To me, it appears that it WAS His responsibility. Yet, in your commentary for verses 2-3, you write as if it was the responsibility of Israel for this “void.” I just finished reading the book of Judges and in Judges 21:15 it says: And the people grieved for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a void in the tribes of Israel. So, THANK YOU for such an awesome resource! It’s the first place I go when what I’m reading in the Bible doesn’t make sense. Autumn asked this question a few weeks back:įirst of all, let me say that I very much appreciate your commentary.