24 Then the sons of Israel came against the sons of Benjamin the second day . 25 Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and felled to the ground again 18,000 e e men of the sons of Israel ; all these drew the sword .
26 Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept ; thus they remained there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening . And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord . 27 The sons of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days , 28 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar , Aaron's son , stood before it to minister in those days ), saying , "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin , or shall I cease ?" And the Lord said , "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 20:24-28
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.