Judges 20:14

KJV

But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} gathered themselves together {H622} out of the cities {H5892} unto Gibeah {H1390}, to go out {H3318} to battle {H4421} against the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Instead the people of Binyamin gathered themselves together from their cities and went to Giv'ah to fight the people of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

And from their cities they came together at Gibeah to go out and fight against the Israelites.

American Standard Version

And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:14 encapsulates a tragic turning point in Israel's history, detailing the tribe of Benjamin's defiant mobilization from their cities to Gibeah. This act of unification was not for national defense or a righteous cause, but a deliberate decision to wage war against the other tribes of Israel, who sought justice for the heinous crime committed in Gibeah. This verse sets the stage for an unprecedented and devastating civil conflict, highlighting the profound moral decay and fractured unity that characterized Israel during the period of the Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 20:14 immediately follows the shocking events of [Judges chapter 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine"). A Levite's concubine was brutally abused and murdered by wicked men in Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. In a desperate plea for justice, the Levite dismembered her body and sent a piece to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This horrific act galvanized the other tribes, who assembled at Mizpah, demanding that Benjamin surrender the perpetrators from Gibeah for punishment. Instead of complying with this righteous demand, [Judges 20:13](/judges/20-13 "Judges 20:13 - Demand for Perpetrators") reveals Benjamin's refusal, leading directly to the verse at hand, where they defiantly gather for war against their own brethren. This defiance escalates the conflict from a demand for justice to an all-out civil war, showcasing the depths of depravity and disunity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges 20 occur during the chaotic period of the Judges, a time characterized by a lack of central authority, spiritual apostasy, and moral relativism. The recurring refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel"); [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), perfectly describes the backdrop. Tribal loyalty, while generally a virtue, became a destructive force here, as Benjamin's allegiance to their kinsmen, even wicked ones, superseded their covenantal obligations to God and the broader Israelite community. The concept of corporate responsibility was strong in ancient Israel, meaning the entire tribe could be held accountable for the unpunished sins within its territory. Gibeah, a Benjaminite city, became a symbol of this moral decay and the focal point of the impending conflict.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Judges. First, it highlights the theme of **Defiance and Misplaced Loyalty**, as Benjamin prioritizes tribal solidarity over justice and righteousness, setting themselves against the rest of God's people. Second, it underscores the devastating consequences of **Internal Conflict and Civil War** within a divinely chosen nation, demonstrating how unaddressed sin can rupture the very fabric of society. Third, it illustrates the **Consequences of Unrighteousness**, showing that protecting sin rather than confronting it leads to wider destruction and judgment. Finally, it implicitly points to the urgent need for a **Righteous King** who would enforce justice and maintain unity, a need that is acutely felt throughout the narrative of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gathered themselves together (Hebrew, _vayye'asphu'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate and intentional assembly, emphasizing the Benjaminites' conscious choice to mobilize for conflict. It implies a unified and determined stance, not a reluctant or forced conscription. Their gathering was an act of defiance, a collective decision to stand in opposition to the demands of the other tribes of Israel.
* **children of Benjamin (Hebrew, _b'nei Binyamin'_):** This phrase highlights the tribal identity and collective nature of the decision. It underscores the tragic irony that "sons" of one of Israel's tribes are preparing to fight against the "children of Israel" – their own brethren. This emphasizes the breakdown of the covenantal unity that was meant to bind all the tribes together as one people under God.
* **to go out to battle (Hebrew, _latzet lammilchamah'_):** This active and purposeful phrase clarifies the Benjaminites' intent. They were not merely defending their borders or negotiating; their objective was explicitly to engage in warfare. This reveals the depth of their commitment to protecting the perpetrators and their willingness to shed the blood of fellow Israelites, a stark violation of the covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the children of Benjamin":** The conjunction "But" immediately signals a contrast and opposition to the preceding narrative, where the other tribes of Israel had assembled and demanded justice. It sets Benjamin apart as the dissenting party, highlighting their unique and defiant stance against the collective will of their brethren. This emphasizes their tribal identity as the source of this resistance.
* **"gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah":** This clause describes the strategic and unified mobilization of the Benjaminite forces. They converged from various cities within their territory, consolidating their strength at Gibeah. Gibeah, already infamous as the site of the horrific crime in [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine"), now becomes the rallying point for their defiant stand, symbolizing their solidarity with the wicked inhabitants and their rejection of justice.
* **"to go out to battle against the children of Israel":** This final phrase reveals the shocking and tragic purpose of their gathering. Their intent was not to surrender the guilty or seek reconciliation, but to wage war. The target of their aggression was "the children of Israel"—their own covenantal family. This underscores the unprecedented nature of the conflict as a civil war, a profound internal rupture within God's chosen people, born out of unaddressed sin and misplaced loyalty.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 20:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its tragic message. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the "children of Benjamin" prepare to fight "the children of Israel." This internal conflict among God's covenant people is deeply ironic, as they were called to be a unified nation. The verse also serves as a strong **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the horrific and devastating civil war that will ensue, leading to immense casualties and the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between the other tribes' pursuit of justice and Benjamin's defiant protection of sin, highlighting the moral chasm that has opened. Finally, **Synecdoche** is at play, where "the children of Benjamin" represents the entire tribe and its collective decision, just as "Gibeah" stands in for the epicenter of both the initial crime and the subsequent resistance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:14 serves as a stark theological commentary on the profound dangers of unaddressed sin and misplaced loyalty within a covenant community. It illustrates that when a people abandon God's standards of justice and righteousness, even tribal bonds, which are meant to foster unity, can become instruments of destruction. Benjamin's refusal to surrender the wicked reveals a deep spiritual blindness and a prioritizing of human allegiance over divine law, leading to a catastrophic internal conflict. This event underscores the principle that sin, when protected and left unpunished, does not remain localized but metastasizes, corrupting the entire body and leading to widespread judgment and devastation. It is a powerful reminder that true unity is built upon truth and righteousness, not on the compromise or protection of evil.

* [Deuteronomy 13:12-18](/deuteronomy/13-12 "Deuteronomy 13:12-18 - Dealing with Wicked Cities")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Matthew 12:25](/matthew/12-25 "Matthew 12:25 - A House Divided Cannot Stand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Judges 20:14 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and communities. Benjamin's tragic choice to protect sin rather than confront it serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It challenges us to examine our own loyalties: are we more committed to protecting our "own" (family, friends, church group, political affiliation) even when they are in the wrong, or are we committed first and foremost to justice, truth, and God's righteousness? This verse reminds us that true love and loyalty sometimes require confronting uncomfortable truths and holding others accountable, even when it's painful. The failure to address sin within our midst, whether personally or corporately, can lead to far greater destruction and division than the initial confrontation might have caused. We are called to be a people who value righteousness and peace, understanding that genuine unity is forged in the crucible of truth and accountability, not through the compromise of moral principles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Benjamin's misplaced loyalty challenge our own allegiances, especially when those we care about are involved in wrongdoing?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or corporately, be tempted to protect sin or avoid confronting it, rather than seeking justice and truth?**
* **What is the cost of division within a community or church when truth and justice are compromised for the sake of perceived unity or tribalism?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't Benjamin just hand over the perpetrators from Gibeah?**

Answer: Benjamin's refusal to hand over the perpetrators stemmed primarily from a misguided sense of tribal solidarity and pride. Instead of acknowledging the heinous crime committed within their territory and upholding the broader covenantal law of Israel, they chose to protect their own kinsmen, regardless of their guilt. This decision reflects the deep moral decay prevalent in the period of the Judges, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel"); [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")). Their loyalty to their tribe superseded their loyalty to God's law and the unity of Israel, leading to a catastrophic refusal to submit to the righteous demands of the other tribes.

**What does this event tell us about the period of the Judges?**

Answer: Judges 20:14 and the ensuing civil war vividly illustrate the profound spiritual and moral anarchy that characterized the period of the Judges. It demonstrates the consequences of a decentralized nation without a righteous king or strong spiritual leadership, where individual tribes and even cities operated according to their own corrupt standards. The events reveal a complete breakdown of justice, covenantal unity, and moral discernment. The willingness of one tribe to defend egregious sin and wage war against its own brethren underscores the depth of Israel's apostasy and their desperate need for a true leader who would establish justice and restore order, pointing forward to the eventual establishment of the monarchy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic civil war initiated by Benjamin's defiance in Judges 20:14 finds its ultimate resolution and antithesis in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "children of Benjamin" chose to defend sin and wage war against their own brethren, leading to division and near-annihilation. In stark contrast, Jesus, the true King of Israel, came not to protect sin but to confront it and ultimately to bear its full penalty. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice, thereby preventing the divine judgment that sin deserves. Unlike Benjamin, who fostered division, Christ's mission was to bring unity. He broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity in Himself ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")), a stark contrast to the fractured Israel of the Judges. He is the righteous King Israel desperately needed, the one who establishes justice and peace, and whose kingdom, unlike the divided house of Israel, "will never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). Through His cross, He reconciles estranged parties, bringing together those who were once at war with God and with one another, fulfilling the promise of true unity and justice that eluded Israel in the time of the Judges.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 13:13

¶ But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment [was] behind them.

Numbers 21:23

And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Job 15:25

For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.

Job 15:26

He runneth upon him, [even] on [his] neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:

Numbers 20:20

And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.