201 Then all the sons of Israel from Dan to Beersheba , including the land of Gilead , came out, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah . 2 The chiefs of all the people , even of all the tribes of Israel , took their stand in the assembly of the people of God , 400,000 e e foot soldiers who drew the sword . 3 (Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah .) And the sons of Israel said , "Tell us, how did this wickedness take place ?" 4 So the Levite , the husband of the woman who was murdered , answered and said , "I came with my concubine to spend the night at Gibeah which belongs to Benjamin . 5 "But the men of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house at night because of me. They intended to kill me; instead, they ravished my concubine so that she died . 6 "And I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout the land of Israel's inheritance ; for they have committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel . 7 "Behold , all you sons of Israel , give your advice and counsel here ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 20:1-7
Chapter Contents
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.