Judges 20:14
But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֧וּ
gathered themselves together
H622
וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֧וּ
gathered themselves together
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
1 of 11
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
בְּנֵ֥י
But the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
But the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִנְיָמִ֛ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִנְיָמִ֛ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
3 of 11
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הֶֽעָרִ֖ים
out of the cities
H5892
הֶֽעָרִ֖ים
out of the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
5 of 11
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַגִּבְעָ֑תָה
unto Gibeah
H1390
הַגִּבְעָ֑תָה
unto Gibeah
Strong's:
H1390
Word #:
6 of 11
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
לָצֵ֥את
to go out
H3318
לָצֵ֥את
to go out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to battle
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
8 of 11
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 11
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Historical Context
Benjamin's tribal pride had deep roots. They descended from Jacob's beloved youngest son (Genesis 35:18), and their territory, though small, held strategic importance including the approaches to Jerusalem. Their fierce warrior reputation (Genesis 49:27 calls Benjamin a 'ravenous wolf') made them confident despite being vastly outnumbered. This confidence, combined with tribal solidarity, overrode prudent assessment of their position.
Questions for Reflection
- When does doubling down in defense of wrong compound your guilt exponentially?
- How does pride masquerading as loyalty prevent you from admitting fault and seeking reconciliation?
- What would it mean to show moral courage by surrendering your position rather than fighting to defend it?
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Analysis & Commentary
The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah—Benjamin responds to Israel's demands not with compliance but with military mobilization. They rally from their scattered towns (עָרִים, arim) to Gibeah, the site of the crime, effectively declaring the entire tribe stands with the perpetrators. To go out to battle against the children of Israel (לָצֵאת לַמִּלְחָמָה עִם־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, latzet lamilchamah im-benei yisra'el)—they initiate offensive warfare 'against' their brother tribes.
Benjamin's decision is catastrophic. Rather than surrendering a handful of criminals from one city, they choose civil war, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and their tribe's near-extinction. Pride and tribal loyalty override wisdom. This illustrates how doubling down on defending evil compounds guilt exponentially. The rational response—'Yes, those men committed horrific crimes and deserve death'—is rejected in favor of irrational tribal defense. Benjamin's military courage becomes moral cowardice. Sometimes the bravest act is not fighting but admitting wrong and seeking reconciliation. Benjamin's mobilization shows that skill in warfare doesn't equate to wisdom in righteousness. Their elite fighters (v. 16) will prove militarily impressive but morally bankrupt. The verse warns that going to battle 'against' brothers should be the last resort after all attempts at peace are exhausted, not the first response when confronted with uncomfortable truth.