Judges 21:1

CHAPTER XXI

The Israelites mourn because of the desolation of Benjamin, and

consult the Lord, 1-4.

They inquire who of Israel had not come to this war, as they had

vowed that those who would not make this a common cause should

be put to death, 5, 6.

They consult how they shall procure wives for the six hundred

men who had fled to the rock Rimmon, 7.

Finding that the men of Jabesh-gilead had not come to the war,

they send twelve thousand men against them, smite them, and

bring off four hundred virgins, which they give for wives to

those who had taken refuge in Rimmon, 8-14.

To provide for the two hundred which remained, they propose to

carry off two hundred virgins of the daughters of Shiloh, who

might come to the annual feast of the Lord, held at that place,

15-22.

They take this counsel, and each carries away a virgin from the

feast, 23-25.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXI

Verse Judges 21:1. Now the men of Israel had sworn] Of this oath we had not heard before; but it appears they had commenced this war with a determination to destroy the Benjamites utterly, and that if any of them escaped the sword no man should be permitted to give him his daughter to wife. By these means the remnant of the tribe must soon have been annihilated.