Judges 20:36

KJV

So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} saw {H7200} that they were smitten {H5062}: for the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} gave {H5414} place {H4725} to the Benjamites {H1145}, because they trusted {H982} unto the liers in wait {H693} which they had set {H7760} beside Gibeah {H1390}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and the people of Binyamin realized that they had been beaten. The men of Isra'el, trusting the ones they had put in place to ambush Binyamin, gave ground to the men of Binyamin.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah.

American Standard Version

So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten; for the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted unto the liers-in-wait whom they had set against Gibeah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:36 marks the decisive turning point in the devastating civil war between the tribes of Israel and Benjamin, illustrating the strategic brilliance of Israel's ambush. After suffering two initial defeats, the Israelites executed a feigned retreat, successfully luring the Benjamites out of their stronghold in Gibeah and into a meticulously prepared trap. This verse vividly captures the Benjamites' sudden and horrifying realization that they were not pursuing a fleeing enemy, but were instead being "smitten" – decisively defeated and overwhelmed – by a masterfully executed military maneuver, signaling the irreversible shift of the battle and Benjamin's impending near-annihilation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 20:36 is situated within the climactic third phase of the tragic civil war narrative spanning [Judges 19-21](/judges/19-21 "Judges 19-21 - The Civil War Against Benjamin"). This entire section serves as a grim epilogue to the book of Judges, powerfully illustrating the profound moral and spiritual decay that plagued Israel during a period when "there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")). The preceding verses meticulously detail Israel's two initial, unexpected, and crushing defeats at the hands of Benjamin ([Judges 20:21](/judges/20-21 "Judges 20:21 - Israel's First Defeat") and [Judges 20:25](/judges/20-25 "Judges 20:25 - Israel's Second Defeat")), despite their having received divine affirmation to engage in warfare. Following these humbling setbacks, Israel engaged in a third, more fervent appeal to God, accompanied by fasting and sacrifice, which resulted in a renewed divine command to attack ([Judges 20:28](/judges/20-28 "Judges 20:28 - God's Renewed Command")). Empowered by this renewed assurance, Israel implemented a sophisticated ambush strategy, bearing a striking resemblance to Joshua's successful tactics against Ai ([Joshua 8:9](/joshua/8-9 "Joshua 8:9 - Joshua's Ambush at Ai")). Verse 36 specifically captures the critical moment of the Benjamites' fatal miscalculation as they fall into this meticulously laid trap, mistaking Israel's strategic withdrawal for a genuine rout.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events recounted in [Judges 19-21](/judges/19-21 "Judges 19-21 - The Civil War Against Benjamin") are set in a turbulent period of tribal confederacy, predating the establishment of a unified monarchy in Israel. This era was characterized by decentralized leadership, frequent inter-tribal conflicts, and a significant decline in adherence to Mosaic law, most starkly evidenced by the horrific crime in Gibeah that ignited this brutal war. The military tactics employed, such as ambushes and feigned retreats, were common and effective strategies in ancient Near Eastern warfare, demonstrating a surprising level of strategic sophistication even within a decentralized society. Gibeah, a prominent city within Benjamin's tribal territory, held considerable significance, later becoming the hometown of Israel's first king, Saul. The near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin underscores the extreme severity of the tribal response to the moral outrage and the dire, destructive consequences of internal strife within the covenant community. The repeated consultations with God at Bethel highlight the enduring, though often misunderstood or poorly applied, practice of seeking divine guidance in critical national affairs, even as Israel struggled with its own moral compass.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, deeply embedded within the broader narrative of [Judges 19-21](/judges/19-21 "Judges 19-21 - The Civil War Against Benjamin"), powerfully illustrates several profound theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights the intricate interplay between **Divine Sovereignty and Human Strategy**, demonstrating that while God commands the Israelites to fight, their ultimate victory necessitates both divine permission and wise human planning, including the use of military deception. The initial crushing defeats serve as a potent reminder that even divine commands do not automatically guarantee effortless success or negate the need for strategic wisdom and perseverance on the part of God's people. Secondly, the narrative powerfully underscores the devastating **Consequences of Sin and Moral Decay**, as the entire gruesome conflict stems directly from unchecked wickedness within the tribe of Benjamin, leading to a civil war that nearly obliterates one of Israel's twelve tribes. This serves as a stark and enduring warning about the destructive power of societal sin when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")). Finally, the narrative emphasizes the crucial themes of **Perseverance and Repentance**, as Israel's repeated appeals to God after their defeats, coupled with fasting and sacrifice, ultimately lead to a successful outcome. This demonstrates that persistent seeking of God's face, even in dire and humbling circumstances, is crucial for securing divine intervention and guidance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smitten (Hebrew, _nâgaph'_):** From the Hebrew verb נָגַף (_nâgaph_), meaning "to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease); beat, dash, hurt, plague, slay, smite (down), strike, stumble, [idiom] surely, put to the worse." In this context, it signifies a decisive, overwhelming, and fatal blow, indicating that the Benjamites were not merely pushed back but were being utterly defeated, cut down, and overwhelmed by the sudden and devastating impact of the ambush. It conveys the immediate and dire realization of their perilous situation.
* **Gave place (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** Derived from the Hebrew verb נָתַן (_nâthan_), meaning "to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)." Here, it describes Israel's strategic yielding of ground, a deliberate and calculated withdrawal designed to lure the Benjamites into the ambush. It implies a controlled, tactical movement rather than a genuine, panicked retreat, highlighting the deceptive and pre-planned nature of Israel's maneuver.
* **Liers in wait (Hebrew, _ʼârab'_):** From the Hebrew verb אָרַב (_ʼârab_), meaning "to lurk; (lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie in) wait." This term specifically refers to the concealed forces Israel had strategically positioned. It emphasizes the pre-planned, hidden, and deceptive nature of the attack, which was the crucial element for turning the tide of the battle and securing victory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten:"** This clause marks the dramatic moment of critical realization for the Benjamite forces. Up until this point, they had been operating under the false assumption that they were successfully routing the Israelites, having twice defeated them. The sudden, shocking awareness that they were "smitten" (decisively defeated, overwhelmed, and suffering heavy casualties) signals the precise turning point of the battle. Their perception shifts abruptly and violently from anticipated victory to utter, inescapable defeat as the ambush takes its devastating effect.
* **"for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites,"** This explanatory clause provides the crucial strategic rationale behind the preceding event, revealing Israel's cunning and deceptive maneuver. The "giving place" was not a genuine, panicked retreat but a highly calculated tactical withdrawal. This feigned flight successfully drew the Benjamites away from the relative safety of Gibeah and deeper into the pre-arranged killing zone where the ambush was meticulously set. It highlights the deceptive element that was absolutely crucial to Israel's military plan and ultimate success.
* **"because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah."** This final clause articulates the strategic confidence and underlying reason for Israel's feigned retreat. Their trust and assurance were not in their ability to defeat Benjamin in a direct, open confrontation (which they had failed to do twice), but rather in the anticipated effectiveness and devastating impact of their hidden ambush force. The "liers in wait" were the linchpin of their victory, positioned strategically near Gibeah, the Benjamites' stronghold, to cut off their retreat, surround them, and deliver a decisive blow.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 20:36 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the dramatic and sudden shift in the battle's momentum. **Dramatic Irony** is profoundly evident, as the reader is fully aware of Israel's meticulously planned ambush strategy from the preceding verses, while the Benjamites remain tragically ignorant, believing they are on the verge of another resounding victory. This disparity in knowledge creates intense tension and anticipation for the inevitable moment of their horrifying realization. The verse also prominently features **Military Strategy and Deception** as a central plot device, showcasing Israel's cunning and effective use of a feigned retreat to lure their overconfident enemy into a fatal trap. This tactical maneuver serves as a powerful form of **Foreshadowing** within the broader narrative, as the immediate success of the ambush directly precedes Benjamin's ultimate and devastating defeat. The concise yet impactful phrase "saw that they were smitten" represents a powerful **Turning Point**, marking the precise and irreversible moment when the tide of the battle shifts from Benjamin's perceived triumph to their sudden, overwhelming, and catastrophic defeat.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:36, while describing a specific military tactic, carries profound theological implications for understanding divine guidance and human responsibility. It powerfully illustrates that even when God grants explicit permission or command for a task, human wisdom, strategic planning, and persistent effort are often indispensable for achieving the desired outcome. Israel's initial reliance on numerical superiority and brute force, despite receiving divine affirmation, led to two devastating defeats. It was only after a period of deep humility, fervent prayer, and the implementation of a well-conceived and executed strategy that victory was finally achieved. This narrative suggests that divine guidance does not negate the need for thoughtful planning, diligent execution, and an adaptive approach to challenges. Furthermore, the broader narrative of Judges 19-21, culminating in this verse, serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive consequences of unchecked sin and the tragic internal strife it can cause within a community, even among God's chosen people. It underscores the importance of communal accountability and adherence to divine standards.

* [Joshua 8:18-22](/joshua/8-18-22 "Joshua 8:18-22 - The Ambush at Ai")
* [Proverbs 24:6](/proverbs/24-6 "Proverbs 24:6 - By Wise Counsel You Wage War")
* [2 Corinthians 10:3-5](/2_corinthians/10-3-5 "2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Spiritual Warfare and Strongholds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 20:36 offers a powerful and multifaceted lesson in perseverance, strategic thinking, and the ultimate, often devastating, consequences of sin. In our own lives, we frequently encounter challenges that appear insurmountable, much like Israel's initial crushing defeats. This passage serves as a profound reminder that even when we earnestly believe we are following God's will, the path to victory may not be straightforward, immediate, or without significant setbacks. It necessitates persistent prayer, humble seeking of divine wisdom, and the courage to adapt our strategies and methods. We are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves," employing discernment, thoughtful planning, and spiritual astuteness in navigating our spiritual battles and the complex challenges of life. Moreover, the broader context of [Judges 19-21](/judges/19-21 "Judges 19-21 - The Civil War Against Benjamin") stands as a stark and enduring warning about the corrosive power of unchecked sin within a community, whether it be a family, a church, or a nation. It underscores the vital necessity of upholding justice, righteousness, and moral accountability, lest unchecked wickedness lead to devastating internal conflict, fragmentation, and near-annihilation. This passage compels us to reflect deeply on the paramount importance of moral integrity, the critical need for wise and righteous leadership, and the enduring power of seeking God's face with humility and perseverance, even in the midst of profound chaos and moral decline.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do Israel's initial defeats, despite receiving God's command, challenge our assumptions about divine guidance and the expectation of immediate or effortless success?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be relying on brute force, overconfidence, or unexamined approaches, when a more strategic, prayerful, or adaptive approach is truly needed?**
* **What practical lessons can we draw from the Benjamites' overconfidence and the Israelites' strategic deception regarding our own spiritual warfare or the process of overcoming personal vices and strongholds?**
* **How does the broader context of [Judges 19-21](/judges/19-21 "Judges 19-21 - The Civil War Against Benjamin"), particularly the recurring phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes," speak to the critical importance of shared moral standards, accountability, and righteous leadership in our communities today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Israel lose the first two battles despite God telling them to fight?**

Answer: While the biblical text does not explicitly provide a detailed theological explanation for Israel's initial defeats, it strongly implies that divine command does not guarantee immediate, effortless victory, nor does it negate the need for proper strategy, humility, and spiritual preparation. Israel may have been overconfident, relying on their numerical superiority rather than a humble dependence on God's specific guidance for the battle's execution. Their repeated losses likely served as a divine discipline, designed to humble them, drive them to deeper repentance, and compel them to seek God's counsel more earnestly and thoroughly ([Judges 20:23](/judges/20-23 "Judges 20:23 - Israel Weeps Before the Lord"), [Judges 20:26-28](/judges/20-26-28 "Judges 20:26-28 - Israel's Renewed Inquiry and God's Command")). This process of humbling and renewed seeking ultimately led to the strategic ambush described in [Judges 20:29-36](/judges/20-29-36 "Judges 20:29-36 - The Ambush and Victory"), which secured their victory. This highlights that God often works through human effort, refined strategy, and a posture of humble dependence, even in divinely ordained conflicts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 20:36, with its vivid depiction of a victory achieved through strategic deception and a feigned retreat, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as Israel's apparent weakness and strategic "giving place" led to Benjamin's ultimate defeat, so too did Christ's apparent defeat on the cross become the ultimate, divinely orchestrated ambush against sin, death, and the principalities and powers of darkness. The enemy, believing they had decisively "smitten" God's Son and secured their triumph, was unwittingly lured into an eternal trap. The crucifixion, seemingly a moment of utter vulnerability, loss, and defeat, was in reality the strategic "giving place" of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), allowing Him to descend into death and conquer it from within. Through His death, Jesus disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His glorious resurrection was the ultimate revelation that the "liers in wait" – the forces of God's perfect justice, power, and love – had been perfectly set, and the enemy was decisively "smitten." The seemingly defeated Messiah became the triumphant Victor, turning the enemy's perceived triumph into their eternal undoing, thereby offering true and lasting freedom and new life to all who believe in His finished work ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Death and Resurrection for New Life") and [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")).

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

Joshua 8:15

And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.

Joshua 8:29

And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, [that remaineth] unto this day.