Judges 20:12-22

12 The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin. They asked, "How could such an evil thing happen among you?

13 Now hand over those worthless men in Gibeah. We must put them to death to rid ourselves of this kind of evil in Israel." But the men of Benjamin refused to listen to the men of Israel.

14 So the men of Benjamin went from their towns and assembled at Gibeah to go to war with the men of Israel.

15 That day 26,000 men armed with swords came from Benjamin's cities and organized for battle along with 700 of Gibeah's best men.

16 Out of all these troops, the best 700 were left-handed. Each could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

17 The men of Israel (Benjamin not included) totaled 400,000 soldiers armed with swords.

18 The men of Israel went to Bethel. They asked God, "Who will go first to fight Benjamin?" The LORD answered, "Judah will go first."

19 The Israelites got up early in the morning and camped at Gibeah.

20 So the men of Israel went to war with the men of Benjamin. The Israelites formed their battle line facing Gibeah.

21 That day the men of Benjamin came out from Gibeah. They slaughtered 22,000 of Israel's men.

22 But Israel's troops got reinforcements. They formed their battle line where they had formed it on the first day.

Judges 20:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 20

This chapter relates, how that there was an assembly of the children of Israel at Mizpeh, upon what had happened to the concubine of the Levite, where he appeared and related the whole affair to them, Jud 20:1-7 upon which they unanimously agreed to chastise the inhabitants of Gibeah for what they had done, Jud 20:8-11, and in order to do that sent to the tribe of Benjamin to deliver the guilty, but instead of that they took to their arms, and prepared for battle in defence of them, Jud 20:12-17 and two battles ensued on this, in which the Israelites, who were on the right side of the question, were worsted, Jud 20:18-25 but upon their seeking the Lord again, and their humiliation before him, they engaged a third time in battle, and got an entire victory over the Benjaminites, and destroyed them all excepting six hundred men, Jud 20:26-48.