Had sworn — In the beginning of this war, after the whole tribe had
espoused the quarrel of the men of Gibeah. Saying — They do not here
swear the utter extirpation of the tribe, which fell out beyond their
expectation, but only not to give their daughters to those men who
should survive; justly est... [ Continue Reading ]
An altar — Not for a monument of the victory, but for sacrifices, as
the next words shew. There might be in that place more altars than
one, when the multitude of sacrifices be required, which was the case,
1 Kings 8:64, and probably at this time, when all the tribes being
met, they had many sacrifi... [ Continue Reading ]
Great oath — That is a solemn oath joined with some terrible
execration against the offenders herein. Put to death — Because by
refusing to execute the vengeance due to such malefactors, they were
justly presumed guilty of the crime, and therefore liable to the same
punishment, as was the case of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Repented — Not for the war, which was just and necessary, but for
their immoderate severity in the execution of it. That is no good
divinity which swallows up humanity. Even necessary justice is to be
done with compassion.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Lord, &c. — The Benjamites were the only authors of the sin, but
God was the chief author of the punishment, and the Israelites were
but his executioners.... [ Continue Reading ]
An inheritance — The inheritance promised by Jacob and Moses, and
given by Joshua to the tribe of Benjamin, doth all of it belong to
those few who remain of that tribe, and cannot be possessed by any
other tribe; and therefore we are obliged to procure wives for them
all, that they may make up this... [ Continue Reading ]
A feast — Probably it was the feast of tabernacles, which they
celebrated with more than ordinary joy. And that feast was the only
season, at which the Jewish virgins were allowed to dance. But even
this was not mixed dancing. No men danced with these daughters of
Shiloh. Nor did the married women s... [ Continue Reading ]
Daughters of Shiloh — By whom we may understand not those only who
were born or settled inhabitants there, but all those who were come
thither upon this occasion, and for a time sojourned there: for
although only the males were obliged to go up to the three solemn
feasts; yet the women had liberty t... [ Continue Reading ]
And took, &c. — That is, each man his wife. By which we may see,
they had no very favourable opinion of polygamy, because they did not
allow it in this case, when it might seem most necessary for the
reparation of a lost tribe. Repaired — By degrees, increasing their
buildings as their number increa... [ Continue Reading ]
Right in his own eyes — What wonder was it then, if all wickedness
overflowed the land? Blessed be God for magistracy!... [ Continue Reading ]