Judges 20:24

KJV

And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} came near {H7126} against the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} the second {H8145} day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the army of Isra'el went out to attack the army of Binyamin the second day.

Berean Standard Bible

On the second day the Israelites advanced against the Benjamites.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:24 records the grim determination of the united tribes of Israel as they "came near against" the tribe of Benjamin for the second day of battle. Following a devastating defeat on the first day, this verse marks their renewed offensive in a brutal civil war, highlighting their persistence in seeking justice for the heinous crime committed in Gibeah, even in the face of immense loss and continued divine testing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the tragic narrative of Israel's civil war against Benjamin, which spans Judges 19-21. The conflict begins with the horrific rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in Gibeah of Benjamin, leading to the Levite's gruesome act of dismemberment to rally the tribes of Israel for justice ([Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Atrocity at Gibeah")). The eleven tribes assemble, demanding that Benjamin surrender the perpetrators, but Benjamin refuses, choosing to protect the wicked. The united tribes, after inquiring of the LORD, initially attack Benjamin and suffer a catastrophic defeat, losing twenty-two thousand men ([Judges 20:18-21](/judges/20-18 "Judges 20:18-21 - Israel's First Defeat")). Despite this immense loss, and having again wept and sought guidance from the LORD at Bethel ([Judges 20:23](/judges/20-23 "Judges 20:23 - Israel Inquires of the LORD Again")), they resolve to continue the fight. Verse 24 thus serves as the pivotal moment initiating their second, equally disastrous, attempt to confront Benjamin, setting the stage for yet another defeat before the eventual, divinely-orchestrated victory on the third day ([Judges 20:25-35](/judges/20-25 "Judges 20:25-35 - The Second and Third Day Battles")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges is characterized by a profound spiritual and moral decline in Israel, famously summarized by the refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")). This civil war is a stark manifestation of that decline, showcasing the breakdown of covenantal justice and tribal unity. The concept of corporate responsibility was strong; Benjamin's protection of the guilty men of Gibeah was seen as a corporate endorsement of their sin, necessitating a corporate response from the other tribes. The practice of inquiring of the LORD at Bethel, where the ark of the covenant was located ([Judges 20:27](/judges/20-27 "Judges 20:27 - The Ark of the Covenant at Bethel")), underscores their attempt to seek divine sanction for their actions, even if their understanding of God's will or their own strategic approach was initially flawed. This conflict highlights the devastating consequences of internal strife and unaddressed sin within a people called to be holy.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 20:24 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores the **persistence in conflict** and the **grim determination** of the Israelite tribes, who, despite a crushing initial defeat, return to battle. This persistence, however, initially appears to be rooted in their own strength and flawed understanding of divine instruction, rather than full reliance on God's strategy. Secondly, the verse highlights the **severity and tragic consequences of civil strife** and disunity among God's people, demonstrating how corporate sin can lead to immense loss of life and near annihilation of a tribe. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine testing and refinement**; God allows Israel to suffer repeated defeats, even after they inquire of Him, to humble them, expose their self-reliance, and lead them to deeper repentance and a more complete dependence on His specific guidance and strategy, which becomes evident only on the third day of battle.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came near (Hebrew, _nagash'_):** This verb signifies "to draw near," "approach," or "come against." In a military context, as here, it specifically denotes drawing near for battle, engaging in combat, or making an aggressive advance. It implies a deliberate and confrontational movement, not merely a passive approach. The Israelites were not just assembling; they were actively moving to engage the enemy.
* **second day (Hebrew, _yom hash-sheni'_):** This phrase is crucial for understanding the narrative's progression. It emphasizes the sequential nature of the conflict, marking the continuation of the battle after the initial engagement. The repetition of "day" (first, second, third) highlights the protracted and difficult nature of the war, underscoring the Israelites' perseverance (or stubbornness) and God's sovereign control over the unfolding events, allowing for a process of humbling and refinement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel":** This refers to the united eleven tribes of Israel, who had gathered at Mizpah and then Bethel to address the atrocity committed by the Benjamites. They represent the collective body of God's covenant people, acting as one against a rebellious segment.
* **"came near against the children of Benjamin":** This clause describes the direct military confrontation. "Came near against" indicates an offensive posture, a movement to engage in combat. The "children of Benjamin" refers to the entire tribe, who had chosen to defend the wicked men of Gibeah, thus making themselves corporately responsible for the crime.
* **"the second day":** This temporal marker specifies that this was the second consecutive day of active battle. It follows the devastating defeat of the first day, indicating that despite their immense losses, the Israelites had regrouped and were ready to renew the fight, having received divine permission (though not yet a winning strategy) to "go up again."

#### Literary Devices
The verse, though brief, employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** of the "day" motif (first, second, third) is a key structural element, emphasizing the protracted nature of the conflict and the repeated attempts of the Israelites. This repetition builds narrative tension, as the reader anticipates the outcome of each successive day. There is subtle **foreshadowing** in the very act of "coming near" on the second day after such a crushing first defeat; it hints that this renewed effort, without a change in strategy or deeper repentance, might also end in failure, thus setting up the eventual, divinely-orchestrated victory on the third day. Furthermore, the verse encapsulates a profound **irony**: the "children of Israel," God's chosen covenant people, are engaged in a brutal, fratricidal war "against" their own brethren, the "children of Benjamin." This internal conflict highlights the deep moral decay and disunity within the nation, a stark contrast to the ideal of a unified people serving God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:24, though a simple statement of action, carries profound theological weight. It demonstrates that even when God's people seek His counsel and act with apparent divine sanction, their own strength, flawed strategies, or unaddressed corporate sin can lead to repeated failure and immense suffering. God's allowance of two defeats, despite His command to "go up," serves as a severe refining process, teaching Israel that obedience is not merely about following a general command to fight, but about discerning and fully submitting to His specific strategy and timing. It underscores the cost of moral compromise and the devastating impact of internal disunity within the covenant community, reminding us that God's justice is unwavering, even for His own people. The persistence shown, though initially misguided, also points to the necessity of perseverance in faith, even when outcomes are not immediately favorable, ultimately leading to a deeper reliance on God's power and wisdom.

* [Judges 20:21](/judges/20-21 "Judges 20:21 - Israel's First Defeat")
* [Judges 20:23](/judges/20-23 "Judges 20:23 - Israel Inquires of the LORD Again")
* [Judges 20:25](/judges/20-25 "Judges 20:25 - Israel's Second Defeat")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 20:24 serves as a powerful reminder that even in our pursuit of what is right or what we believe God has sanctioned, our own strength, flawed understanding, or unaddressed issues can lead to repeated setbacks. The Israelites' determination to "come near" again after a devastating loss speaks to a commendable persistence, yet their continued defeat on this second day reveals that mere persistence is not enough; true success in God's eyes requires a deeper level of humility, repentance, and a complete reliance on His specific wisdom and strategy. For us, this means examining our own "battles"—whether spiritual, relational, or personal—and asking if we are truly seeking God's *way* and *timing*, or merely His permission to proceed with our own plans. It challenges us to learn from our failures, not just to endure them, and to recognize that sometimes God allows us to stumble so that we might truly lean on Him, not just consult Him. The tragic civil war also highlights the destructive power of unresolved sin and disunity within any community, especially the church, urging us to pursue reconciliation and justice with humility and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we respond when our initial efforts, even when seemingly divinely sanctioned, meet with failure or unexpected setbacks?**
* **What does this account teach us about the nature of persistence in spiritual battles, and when might persistence become stubbornness or self-reliance?**
* **In what areas of our lives or communities might we be "coming near" in our own strength rather than fully relying on God's wisdom and specific strategy?**
* **How can unresolved sin or internal conflict within a community lead to devastating consequences, and what is our role in seeking reconciliation and justice?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow Israel to be defeated twice, even after they inquired of Him and were told to "go up"?**

Answer: God's allowance of two devastating defeats, even after Israel inquired of Him, served a profound purpose in refining and humbling His people. Their initial inquiries ([Judges 20:18](/judges/20-18 "Judges 20:18 - Israel's First Inquiry"), [Judges 20:23](/judges/20-23 "Judges 20:23 - Israel's Second Inquiry")) might have been more about seeking validation for their existing plans and strength rather than a posture of complete submission and dependence on God's specific strategy. The defeats exposed their self-reliance and the lingering moral decay within the nation, despite their righteous cause. God was not merely giving permission to fight; He was teaching them deeper repentance, the necessity of truly weeping before Him, and the importance of waiting for His precise instructions and strategic guidance, which He finally provided before the third day's battle ([Judges 20:27-28](/judges/20-27 "Judges 20:27-28 - Phinehas Inquires of the LORD for the Third Time")). These defeats underscored that victory comes not by might or power, but by God's Spirit and His chosen way.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The repeated failures of Israel in Judges 20, culminating in the grim return to battle on the "second day," powerfully foreshadow the inadequacy of human strength and even well-intentioned efforts to achieve ultimate justice or victory over sin. Israel's inability to secure victory until they fully humbled themselves and followed God's precise, strategic instructions points to the greater need for a perfect Deliverer. The Old Testament's cycles of sin, judgment, and temporary deliverance reveal humanity's desperate need for a definitive solution to the problem of sin and disunity. This is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Where Israel failed to bring perfect justice or lasting peace, Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly atoned for sin through His once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). His victory over sin and death was achieved not through overwhelming force, but through apparent weakness and suffering on the cross, leading to ultimate triumph ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). He is the ultimate Judge who will perfectly execute justice ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Entrusted All Judgment to the Son")), and the Prince of Peace who breaks down walls of hostility and reconciles those who were once at enmity, both with God and with one another ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The lessons of persistence, learning from failure, and relying on divine strategy in Judges 20 find their ultimate empowerment in Christ, who equips believers with the Holy Spirit to fight spiritual battles not in their own strength, but in the power of God ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Full Armor of God")).

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.