Question 1

Why did Israel go to war against the tribe of Benjamin?

Accepted Answer

Israel went to war against Benjamin because of a terrible crime done in Gibeah, a city in Benjamin’s territory. Wicked men there abused the Levite’s concubine so badly that she died. When Israel heard about this, they gathered as one and asked Benjamin to hand over the guilty men, called “children of Belial,” so they could be punished and the evil put away from Israel. Benjamin refused to listen and chose to protect these men. That stubborn refusal turned a call for justice into a civil war among God’s people.

Question 2

What was the Levite’s role in this story and why did he speak to Israel?

Accepted Answer

The Levite was the husband of the woman who was killed in Gibeah. He came before the whole assembly of Israel at Mizpeh and told them what had happened: how the men of Gibeah surrounded the house, attacked, and abused his concubine until she died. He then explained why he had cut her body and sent the pieces through Israel, saying it was because of the lewdness and folly done in Israel. His testimony stirred the people to see how serious the sin was and to seek counsel together about how to respond.

Question 3

Why did Benjamin refuse to hand over the men of Gibeah?

Accepted Answer

The passage does not give a long explanation of Benjamin’s motives, but it shows what they chose to do. When Israel asked them to deliver the wicked men of Gibeah to be put to death and remove evil from Israel, Benjamin “would not hearken” to their brothers. Instead, they gathered their own men for battle. This shows a wrong kind of loyalty, where they stood with their tribe rather than with what was right. Their refusal to deal with the sin in their midst brought judgment on the whole tribe.

Question 4

Why did Israel lose the first two battles even after asking God?

Accepted Answer

Israel did seek God before the battles, asking who should go first and then whether they should go up again against Benjamin. God said they should go, yet they lost many men on the first and second days. The passage shows that only after the second defeat did all Israel come, weep, sit before the LORD, fast, and offer burnt and peace offerings. Then they asked again whether to keep fighting or stop, and God promised to deliver Benjamin into their hand. The early losses underline how serious the situation was and pushed Israel to deeper humility and dependence on God.

Question 5

What does this passage teach about dealing with sin in a community?

Accepted Answer

This chapter shows that sin is not just a private matter. A crime in one city affected the whole nation. Israel gathered “as one man” to face it and asked Benjamin to hand over the guilty so that evil could be put away from Israel. When Benjamin chose to protect the wrongdoers, the whole tribe suffered. The story warns that ignoring or covering sin can harm many people. It also shows that God’s people should seek Him carefully, grieve over sin, and be willing to act together so that holiness is kept in their midst.

Question 6

Who is Phinehas in this passage and why is he mentioned?

Accepted Answer

Phinehas is named as the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, who stood before the ark of the covenant at that time. He was serving as priest when Israel came to the house of God to ask the LORD what to do. His mention reminds us that this was not just a political meeting or human war. Israel was coming before God’s presence, where the ark was, and seeking guidance through the priest God had given them. It underlines that the questions about fighting Benjamin were spiritual and moral, not only military.

Question 7

What does it mean that Israel wanted to “put away evil from Israel”?

Accepted Answer

When Israel asked Benjamin to deliver the wicked men so they could be put to death and “put away evil from Israel,” they were talking about removing open, shocking sin from among God’s people. The crime in Gibeah was not a small failure, but a public and violent act that shamed Israel. To leave it unpunished would make the whole nation guilty. By dealing with the offenders, they aimed to clear the community and show that such behavior would not be accepted. It was about protecting holiness and honoring God’s name.

Question 8

How did Israel finally defeat Benjamin in the third battle?

Accepted Answer

In the third battle, Israel used both prayer and strategy. After seeking God with weeping, fasting, and offerings, they were told that Benjamin would be delivered into their hand. They then set men in ambush around Gibeah. The main force pretended to flee, drawing the Benjamites away from the city, just as in the earlier battles. While Benjamin chased and thought they were winning again, the men in hiding rushed into Gibeah, struck the city, and sent up a great pillar of smoke. When Benjamin saw the city burning and Israel turning back on them, they realized disaster had come and were surrounded and struck down.

Question 9

What does this chapter show about God’s holiness and judgment among His people?

Accepted Answer

This chapter shows that God cares deeply about holiness among His own people. The evil done in Gibeah could not simply be ignored. God allowed Israel to suffer losses, which humbled them and drove them to tears, fasting, and offerings before Him. In the end, He gave them victory, but the cost was very heavy for Benjamin. The near destruction of a whole tribe shows how serious it is when a community chooses to protect evil instead of turning from it. God’s holiness means sin has real consequences, even inside His own people.

Judges 20:1

Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the Lord in Mizpeh.

The Decree of the Assembly

Civil War against Benjamin

The Decree of the Assembly

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Judges 20:1

Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the Lord in Mizpeh.

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The Decree of the Assembly

Civil War against Benjamin

The Decree of the Assembly

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