What does Judges 20:20 mean?
ESV: And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin, and the men of Israel drew up the battle line against them at Gibeah.
NIV: The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah.
NASB: The men of Israel went to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel lined up for battle against them at Gibeah.
CSB: The men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin and took their battle positions against Gibeah.
NLT: Then they advanced toward Gibeah to attack the men of Benjamin.
KJV: And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
NKJV: And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel put themselves in battle array to fight against them at Gibeah.
Verse Commentary:
After much investigation, diplomacy, and inquiring of the Lord, a civil war is about to begin between eleven of the tribes of Israel and the twelfth tribe of Benjamin. The point of the attack by the much larger army of Israel (Judges 20:15–17) is the city of Gibeah. It was in that city where mobs of rapists and murderers attacked innocent travelers (Judges 19:22–28), sparking outrage (Judges 20:11–14).
In both ancient and modern warfare, those defending their home territory have a significant advantage over foreign invaders. Defenders typically know the exact layout of the land, buildings, and roads. They are motivated by a common purpose. They can also set up defensive structures to assist their efforts. In this case, Gibeah is defended by the well-prepared army of the tribe of Benjamin. As battle lines are drawn, few would have suspected how difficult Israel's assault would be.
Verse Context:
Judges 20:18–34 describes three battles between eleven tribes of Israel and the twelfth, Benjamin. Benjamin's forces are outnumbered about fifteen-to-one as they defend the city of Gibeah (Judges 19:14, 22; 20:13). The first two attacks fail, with almost a tenth of the Israelite fighters killed. After a day of fasting and sacrifices, God promises Israel victory. Israel's army uses a new strategy and succeeds. The following section begins with a summary of their eventual victory (Judges 20:35).
Chapter Summary:
A massive army collected from eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel gather near the town of Gibeah. Their goal is to purge evil from the land (Judges 19:22–28). The tribe of Benjamin refuses to cooperate. Instead, they assemble an army about one-fifteenth the size of Israel's army. After two failed attempts and a promise of victory from the Lord, Israel uses a false retreat and ambush strategy to destroy Gibeah. This results in the loss of Benjamin's entire army. Israel's wrath spills over onto the territory, itself. All the people, animals, and towns in the tribe's territory are attacked, and it appears that only 600 Benjaminite men survive.
Chapter Context:
In the prior chapter, Benjaminite men of the town of Gibeah committed an act of heinous sin (Judges 19:22–25). In response, the murdered woman's husband rallies Israel with a gruesome message (Judges 19:29–30). Chapter 20 depicts how the tribe of Benjamin refuses to hand over the guilty men. Civil war ensues, resulting in near-total annihilation of their tribe. This creates a new crisis in Israel, as described in chapter 21; Israel doesn't want Benjamin to become extinct.
Book Summary:
The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).
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