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2. When The Judges Ruled Israel Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

3. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Civil War In Israel :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

4. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Civil War In Israel :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)

5. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Civil War In Israel :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

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

7. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Civil War In Israel :1-48
The war vv [In 3 “stages”]
Stage vv
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”

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

9. 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 :1-48
The war vv [In 3 “stages”]
Stage vv
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

10. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Civil War In Israel :1-48
The war vv [In 3 “stages”]
Stage vv
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

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

12. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Civil War In Israel :1-48
The war vv [In 3 “stages”]
Stage vv
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

13. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :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

14. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :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

15. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :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

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

17. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :1-25
Israel was trying its best to keep Benjamin from becoming extinct vv
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

18. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :1-25
The “solution” for the vv
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

19. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :1-25
The “solution” for the vv
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

20. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :1-25
The “solution” for the vv
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: :16-22

21. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :1-25
The “solution” for the vv
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

22. The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21
Saving The “Lost Tribe” :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” : : :1

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