What does Judges 20:32 mean?
Israel's new strategy is working perfectly. They begin this third battle (Judges 20:19–28) by attacking Gibeah in the same manner as before. The fierce warriors of Gibeah again come out from the city and seem to easily defeat the Israelites, also as before. This time, the Israelite soldiers begin to fall back, giving ground to the tribe of Benjamin. The fighters of Benjamin begin to chase them down, killing about thirty Israelite fighters as they are drawn farther from the safety of their city (Judges 20:29–31).This verse reveals the perspectives of either side. Benjamin's army is convinced they are routing Israel's forces for a third time. Israel's leaders are directing their troops to run away, drawing them into a trap. The strategic retreat invites the bulk of Benjamin's soldiers to chase them up the road that leads to Bethel. Benjamin's army does exactly that, allowing Israel's plan to continue (Judges 20:33).