Judges 20:48

“And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, etc.] After they had destroyed their army, the city of Gibeah, and the inhabitants of it: not content with this, in their wrath and fury, turned and went, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city; even men, women, and children, in every city of Benjamin, at least all that lay in their way; and which they might do to be avenged on them, for sending out their militia against them, which had made such a slaughter among them to the loss of 40,000 men, or to fulfil their oath, that such who came not to Mizpeh should be put to death; for which reason also the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead, as well as of…”

“the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword--This frightful vengeance, extending from Gibeah to the whole territory of Benjamin, was executed under the impetuous impulse of highly excited passions. But doubtless the Israelites were only the agents of inflicting the righteous retributions of God; and the memory of this terrible crisis, which led almost to the extermination of a whole tribe, was conducive to the future good of the whole nation. Next: Judges Chapter 21”

“They treated Benjamin as devoted to utter destruction, as Jericho had been Joshua 6:17, Joshua 6:21, and the whole tribe was all but actually extirpated. We see in the punishment inflicted the same ferocity which marked both the crime and the Levite’s mode of requiring vengeance. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Judges 20". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/judges-20.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”

“Turned again - Having destroyed those that came to Gibeah, and into the field, now they follow them home to their several habitations. Men - Comprehensively taken, so as to include women and children. If this seem harsh and bloody, either it may be ascribed to military fury; or perhaps it may be partly justified, from that command of God in a parallel case, Deu 13:15, and from that solemn oath by which they had devoted to death all that came not up to Mizpeh, Jdg 21:5, which none of the Benjamites did. Next: Judges Chapter 21”

“smote them: Deu 13:15-17; Ch2 25:13, Ch2 28:6-9; Pro 18:19 came to hand: Heb. was found they came to: Heb. were found Next: Judges Chapter 21”