Judges 20:19

And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} rose up {H6965} in the morning {H1242}, and encamped {H2583} against Gibeah {H1390}.

So the army of Isra'el got up in the morning and set up their camp near Giv'ah.

The next morning the Israelites set out and camped near Gibeah.

And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.

Judges 20:19 details a pivotal moment in the tragic civil war between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. After the horrific incident involving the Levite's concubine in Gibeah, the other Israelite tribes had gathered, determined to bring justice for the heinous crime committed within Benjamin's territory.

Context

This verse immediately follows the assembly of the Israelite tribes at Mizpeh, where they heard the Levite's plea and resolved to punish the wickedness of Gibeah. The preceding verses describe the outrage of the entire congregation of Israel (Judges 20:1-7) and their unanimous decision to confront Benjamin. Despite seeking the Lord's counsel on strategy (Judges 20:18), the Benjaminites refused to surrender the guilty parties from Gibeah, leading to an inevitable military confrontation. Verse 19 marks the actual commencement of hostilities, as the Israelites abandon deliberation for direct action, rising early to position themselves for battle.

Key Themes

  • Decisive Action: After days of assembly, discussion, and seeking divine guidance, the Israelites move from deliberation to direct military engagement, signifying their commitment to justice.
  • Confrontation of Evil: The encampment against Gibeah represents the collective resolve of Israel to confront and purge the extreme moral depravity that had taken root within one of their own cities, highlighting the severe consequences of unaddressed sin.
  • Unity in Purpose (Initially): While ultimately leading to devastating internal conflict, this act demonstrates a rare moment of unity among the diverse tribes of Israel against a perceived common enemy—the profound wickedness within Benjamin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rose up in the morning" (Hebrew: wayyaqûmû babbōqer) emphasizes the promptness and determination of the Israelite forces. It conveys a sense of urgency and readiness for battle, indicating that they wasted no time in executing their plan after their counsel and prayer.

Practical Application

Judges 20:19 serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of unpunished sin and the lengths to which a community might go to address it. While the subsequent war was devastating, this verse speaks to the principle of accountability and the need to confront injustice. It underscores that ignoring moral decay can lead to widespread conflict and suffering. For believers today, it highlights the importance of addressing sin within our communities and lives, not with physical warfare, but through spiritual discernment, repentance, and seeking God's righteous standards (Ephesians 5:11).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joshua 3:1

    ¶ And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

  • Joshua 6:12

    And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.

  • Joshua 7:16

    ¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
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