Judges 20:1

JUDGES CHAPTER 20 The Israelites assemble at Mizpeh: the Levite declares his wrong, Judges 20:1. Their decree, Judges 20:8, They require the delinquents of the Benjamites to do justice on them; they are denied, Judges 20:12. Whereupon, having consulted God, they march to fight against them; are twice foiled; and lose forty thousand men, Judges 20:18. Being humbled, and receiving clearer revelation from God, they, by a stratagem, destroy the whole tribe, six hundred men excepted, (who fled away,) and burnt their cities, Judges 20:26. All the children of Israel, i.e. a great number, and especially the rulers of all the tribes, except Benjamin, Judges 20:3,12. Went out, from their several habitations. As one man, i.e. with one consent. From Dan even to Beer-sheba; Dan was the northern border of the land, near Lebanon; and Beer-sheba the southern border, Genesis 21:33. Compare 1 Kings 4:25. The land of Gilead, beyond Jordan, where Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh were. Unto the Lord; as to the Lord's tribunal; for God was not only present in the place where the ark and tabernacle was, but also in the assemblies of the gods, or judges, Psalms 82:1, and in all the places where God's name is recorded, Exodus 20:24, and where two or three are met together in his name, Matthew 18:20, for his service, and to seek for counsel and mercy from him: compare Judges 11:11. In Mizpeh; a place in the borders of Judah and Benjamin, and therefore ascribed to both of them, Joshua 15:38, Joshua 18:26. This they chose, as a place most fit and proper in many respects. First, As a place they used to meet in upon solemn occasions: see Judges 10:17, Judges 11:11 1 Samuel 7:5,16 1 Samuel 10:17. Secondly, For its convenient situation for all the tribes within and without Jordan. Thirdly, As being near the place where the fact was done, that it might be more thoroughly examined; and not far from Shiloh, where the tabernacle was, whither they might go or send, if need were.