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When The Judges Ruled Israel Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 All Israel gathered at Mizpah to find out what had happened vv. 1-3 Tribal chiefs…400,000 foot soldiers The Levite describes his episode in Gibeah at the old man’s house vv. 4-6 The Levite sought Israel’s advice v. 7

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 The Levite’s “version of the story” v. 5 His portrayal doesn’t make him look bad at all The Gibeanites never stated they planned to kill him…yet, that could have happened He implied his concubine was “taken”…she was actually “given” (sacrificed)

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 Israel’s decision re: Benjamin vv. 8-16 The author is careful to emphasize Israel’s unity at this moment vv. 1, 8, 11 They decide to punish Gibeah Plans were drawn up re: provisions and preparations for war

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 Israel’s decision re: Benjamin vv. 8-16 They demanded the Gibean sodomites be handed over for execution vv. 12-13a Benjamin refused…instead, they decided to defend them and go to war vv. 13b-14 Benjamin had 26,000…Israel had 400,000

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 The war vv. 17-48 [In 3 “stages”] Stage 1 vv. 18-23 Israel inquired who should lead…it was Judah Benjamin killed 22,000 Israelites Israel retreated, mourned their losses…asked God if they should continue…answer of “YES”

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 The war vv. 17-48 [In 3 “stages”] Stage 2 vv. 24-28 Israel again suffered defeat…this time, Benjamin killed 18,000 Israelites Again, Israel retreated, mourned their losses

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Another reason for a possible earlier date re: this story He began serving before Joshua’s death Josh 22 The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 The war vv. 17-48 [In 3 “stages”] Stage 2 vv. 24-28 This time, Israel gave sacrifices & offerings Phineas (high priest) used the ark to inquire of God re: whether to continue the battle God said “Yes”…this time, they would win

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 The war vv. 17-48 [In 3 “stages”] Stage 3 vv. 29-48 Israel used different tactics this time They put 10,000 in hiding for an ambush They met Benjamin as before…30 were killed They feigned retreat to draw Benjamin out

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 The war vv. 17-48 [In 3 “stages”] Stage 3 vv. 29-48 When Benjamin pursued in confidence, the 10,000 attacked the exposed city Israel stopped fleeing and turned back… Benjamin was caught in a trap

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Civil War In Israel 20:1-48 The war vv. 17-48 [In 3 “stages”] Stage 3 vv. 29-48 When Israel saw the rising smoke from Gibeah, that was the signal to turn on Benjamin Benjamin lost their courage…25,000 were killed 600 managed to escape to the wilderness

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 Before the civil war, Israel had sworn that no tribe should give its daughters to Benjamin for marriage v. 1 After the war, “reality set in”…Israel now recognized an entire tribe would be lost… Israel wept before the Lord vv. 2-4

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 To show their remorse, Israel gathered together and began thinking of a way to provide for Benjamin’s existence while at the same time remaining true to their vow vv. 5-7

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 Israel inquired who had not participated in the earlier meeting at Mizpah v. 8a Jabesh-gilead had not v. 8b [city in Gilead…E of Jordan River] Israel sent 12,000 soldiers to strike the city, killing every man & woman who knew a man

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 Israel captured 400 young virgins who had never been with a man…brought them to their camp at Shiloh vv. 10-12 They were given to the 600 refugees from Benjamin vv. 13-15 20:47 This still was not enough…200 still wife-less

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 Israel was trying its best to keep Benjamin from becoming extinct vv. 16-18 They did not want a tribe to be blotted out from Israel At the same time, Israel wanted to remain true to the vow they had taken v. 1

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 The “solution” for the 200 vv. 19-24 There was an annual feast in Shiloh The 200 Benjamites were instructed to wait in the vineyards & watch for daughters of Shiloh to come out to dance at the feast Each Benjamite could then “capture” a wife

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 The “solution” for the 200 vv. 19-24 No doubt, Ephraimites would object on the basis of the vow Israel would encourage the Ephraimites to let these daughters go because not enough wives were found in battle at Jabesh-gilead

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 The “solution” for the 200 vv. 19-24 Additionally, the reasoning was these daughters had not been “given” per the vow Ephraim would not bear guilt re: the vow This appeared to be a “legalistic” solution cp. Mt 15:3-6 23:16-22

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 The “solution” for the 200 vv. 19-24 The 200 Benjamites did as they had been instructed They took their wives back and re-built their cities…the tribe was saved from extinction Unified Israel dismissed and all went home

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25 The closing comment vv. 25 One final time, the author reminds us re: the spiritual & moral depravity during the days of the judges “No king in Israel…everyone did what was right in his own eyes” 17:6 18:1 19:1

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