39 Then the men of Israel turned in the battle , and Benjamin began to strike and kill e about thirty men of Israel , for they said , "Surely e they are defeated before us, as in the first battle ."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 20:39

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The tribe of Benjamin nearly extirpated.

The Israelites' abhorrence of the crime committed at Gibeah, and their resolution to punish the criminals, were right; but they formed their resolves with too much haste and self-confidence. The eternal ruin of souls will be worse, and more fearful, than these desolations of a tribe.