Judges 20:25

And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.

And Benjamin {H1144} went forth {H3318} against {H7125} them out of Gibeah {H1390} the second {H8145} day {H3117}, and destroyed down {H7843} to the ground {H776} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} again eighteen {H8083}{H6240} thousand {H505} men {H376}; all these drew {H8025} the sword {H2719}.

But Binyamin went out against them from Giv'ah the second day and slaughtered the army of Isra'el; 18,000 men armed with swords fell.

That same day the Benjamites came out against them from Gibeah and cut down another 18,000 Israelites, all of them armed with swords.

And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.

Commentary

Judges 20:25 records a grim moment in ancient Israel's history, detailing the second devastating defeat of the combined Israelite tribes by the smaller tribe of Benjamin during a brutal civil war. This verse underscores the immense cost of unaddressed sin and internal conflict within God's people.

Context

This verse is situated in the latter part of the Book of Judges, a period marked by moral decline and inter-tribal strife, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The conflict erupts from a heinous act of violence and sexual assault committed by men of Gibeah, a city in Benjamin, against a Levite's concubine (Judges 19:25). The other tribes of Israel gathered to demand justice, but Benjamin defiantly refused to surrender the culprits, leading to war. Despite outnumbering Benjamin significantly and even inquiring of the Lord, the Israelites suffered two consecutive, crushing defeats, losing 22,000 men on the first day (Judges 20:21) and another 18,000 on the second, as highlighted in this verse. This surprising outcome led the Israelites to weep before the Lord and inquire again before a third and decisive battle.

Key Themes

  • The High Cost of Unaddressed Sin: The Benjamites' refusal to deal with the wickedness in their midst escalated a local crime into a national tragedy, illustrating how sin, when condoned or protected, can bring widespread devastation.
  • Divine Judgment and Testing: The repeated defeats of the larger Israelite army, despite their righteous cause and seeking God's counsel (though perhaps with insufficient humility or repentance), suggest a deeper divine purpose. God might have been testing their resolve, purifying their motives, or allowing them to experience the profound consequences of their own spiritual state before granting victory.
  • Internal Strife and Disunity: This civil war represents one of the darkest periods of disunity among God's chosen people, leading to immense bloodshed and near-annihilation of one of the tribes. It serves as a stark warning against internal divisions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "destroyed down to the ground" emphasizes the totality and severity of the defeat. The Hebrew phrase for "drew the sword" ('ish sholef cherev) indicates that these were trained, armed men, highlighting the significant military loss for the Israelite confederacy.

Practical Application

Judges 20:25 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Confronting Sin: The narrative powerfully illustrates the destructive nature of unaddressed sin, both individually and corporately. It calls believers to confront sin decisively, rather than allowing it to fester and cause greater harm.
  • Humility in Seeking God: Even when we believe our cause is just, these defeats remind us that God's ways are higher than our ways. True success comes not just from asking God, but from truly aligning with His will and demonstrating humility and repentance, especially when facing setbacks. This resonates with the call to humble ourselves and seek His face.
  • The Danger of Disunity: The devastating civil war serves as a potent reminder of the importance of unity within the community of faith. Internal conflicts can be more destructive than external threats, echoing Paul's admonitions about maintaining unity in the church.
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Cross-References

  • Judges 20:21

    And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.

  • Genesis 18:25

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  • Psalms 97:2

    Clouds and darkness [are] round about him: righteousness and judgment [are] the habitation of his throne.

  • Romans 3:5

    But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? [Is] God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

  • Job 9:12

    Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

  • Job 9:13

    [If] God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;