College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Judges 20 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 20
All Israel aroused. The people were knit together as one man to punish the wicked men of Gibeah. A total of 400,000 men were in the armed force, and 40,000 were assigned to the task of supplying the army with victuals. All these Israelites demanded that the people of Benjamin either punish the men of Gibeah themselves or deliver them into their hands for judgment.
Benjamin victorious in the first two battles. The Israelites asked God who among them should go up first against Benjamin, and Judah was selected. The men of Benjamin destroyed 22,000 men of Israel. In the second battle 18,000 men of Israel were slain.
Benjamin nearly annihilated. All but 600 men of Benjamin fell in the final battle. The men of Israel set an ambush around Gibeah so that when the men of Benjamin came out to fight against Israel, the men of Israel fled before them as they had done in the first two battles. Then the men lying in wait went into the city of Gibeah and set it on fire. The site of the city burning so distracted the men of Benjamin that they began to flee before the armies of Israel. As a result, 25,000 men of Benjamin were killed. Only 600 men who fled to Rimmon were left of the fierce tribe.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Sin is a reproach to a nation (Proverbs 14:34). The men of Israel were of one mind and soul in the matter of punishing the criminals at Gibeah. There was no voice crying for allowing the men to go free. The popular conscience was aroused. The Israelites knew that the wickedness in their midst would destroy them all if allowed to continue.
2.
The Lord orders the battle. Each time before Israel went up against the men of Benjamin, they inquired of the Lord. In the first battle God told Judah to lead. Even when they were beaten, the Israelites asked if they should go to battle again. When God told them to go against Benjamin even though they had been defeated, they again went to battle. Those nations who go to war should ask the Lord about their affairs before they take the field.
3.
Right will triumph in the end. Israel lost 40,000 men and was humiliated in two stunning defeats. Led as they were by the Lord and unwavering as they were in their purpose, they were finally victorious. Law and order may be challenged in a nation, but society will perish unless those who are on the side of right remain steadfast in their purposes.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 20
1.
Where did Israel assemble before going up to Gibeah?
2.
How many soldiers were numbered in Israel?
3.
How many armed men were in Benjamin?
4.
How many chosen men were in Gibeah?
5.
Who did God say should go up first out of Israel to fight Benjamin?
6.
How many men were slain in the first battle?
7.
How many were slain in the second battle?
8.
Who was high priest in Israel in those days?
9.
How many men of Benjamin were killed in the final battle?
10.
How many escaped to rock Rimmon?