27: Should we fight our brothers, or should we quit? (Judges 20:1 – 28)

Although all the Israelites gathered, condemned the evildoers in Gibeah, and demanded their punishment, the tribe of Benjamin refused to listen. Instead, they waged war against all Israel.

Read Judges 20:1 - 28

Q1. (         ) Israel gathered at Mizpah (1 - 2). When he was asked (3), the Levite (               ) the leaders of Gibeah and narrated their deeds before all Israel (4 - 7). And all Israel announced it as a divine duty that (       ) should participate (8  - 11) 

( All ) Israel gathered at Mizpah (1 - 2). When he was asked (3), the Levite ( prosecuted ) the leaders of Gibeah and narrated their deeds before all Israel (4 - 7). And all Israel announced it as a divine duty that ( all ) should participate (8  - 11) 

“All” “From Dan to Beer Sheba” “from the land of Gilead” “all the people” “all the tribes” and “400,000 soldiers” All these expressions are to emphasize that ‘ALL Israel’ gathered.

‘The Bejaminites heard that…’ It foreshadows conflict and isolation of the tribe from Israel. They were expected to be present when all the Israelites gathered, but it remains unclear whether they were not summoned or chose not to attend.

This narrative depicts the Levite prosecuting the people of Gibeah before the entire assembly of Israel. Notably, he omitted that he had handed his concubine over to the mob. However, he did not conceal that he had carved up her body—a shocking act that the assembly did not condemn. A concubine was treated as the property of a man.

Verses 8 – 11 emphasize their divine duty (v8: “Not one of us will go” v9: “as the lot dictates”) to participate in purging out evil among Israel (10). 

Q2. The tribe of Benjamin refused to listen to their Israelites (          ) and went to war against all Israelites to protect the (         ) people of Gibeah. Thus the Benjaminites alienated themselves from Israel and stood with (       ) warriors from Gibeah who did wickedness.

The tribe of Benjamin refused to listen to their Israelites ( brothers ) and went to war against all Israelites to protect the ( wicked ) people of Gibeah. Thus the Benjaminites alienated themselves from Israel and stood with ( 700 ) warriors from Gibeah who did wickedness.

Q3. Three times, they sought the Lord’s guidance regarding the direction of the battle. Compare and explain the differences in their three inquiries. (18, 23, 28)

At first, they had already decided to attack the tribe of Benjamin and sought God's guidance regarding the battle. However, in the end, they humbled themselves and entrusted even the decision to attack the Benjaminites to the Lord. 

Q4. Why do you think the Lord allowed them to be defeated twice, even though they followed His instructions?

Initially, they were prideful and confident in executing divine judgment. After two defeats, they became humble and admitted that the Lord was the judge, not them. 

In fact, Gibeah’s sin was a part of the sin of all Israel. All Israel was not righteous enough to condemn the people of Gibeah. Though they stood up to purge evil in Benjamin, the Lord punished both parties: the Israelites and the Benjaminites. They stood at the Lord’s court, not their court where they wanted to prosecute the Benjamnites. Both they and the Benjaminites stand before the Lord. 

Notice that the Lord purifies the other Israelites first before judging the wickedness of Gibeah and the Benjaminites. It is because all the other tribes were no better than the people of Gibeah.

We should not act as judges. Instead, act as if standing in the Lord's court—examine your actions and speak less of others.

In the Bible, we see that God's judgment and restoration begin with Jerusalem. God first purifies His people and the church, then uses the church to bring judgment to the world.