Judges 21:15

Analysis & Commentary

And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel. This verse attributes Benjamin's near-extinction to "the LORD"—recognizing divine sovereignty even in tragic events resulting from human sin. The word "breach" (perets, פֶּרֶץ) means a break, gap, or rupture, often used for breached walls (Nehemiah 6:1) or broken covenant relationships. Israel recognized that one of the twelve tribes' near-destruction created a rupture in the covenant community structure God had established through Jacob's twelve sons. Their "repentance" (nicham, נִחָם, to be sorry, console oneself) was grief over consequences, though whether it included genuine repentance for their excessive vengeance is questionable given their subsequent violent "solutions."

From a Reformed perspective, this verse illustrates God's sovereignty over human actions, including sinful ones. Israel's excessive violence against Benjamin was sinful pride and lack of measured justice, yet God sovereignly used even this sin to judge Benjamin's wickedness while teaching Israel about the consequences of self-righteous zeal. The Westminster Confession (5.4) states God's providence "extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men, and that not by a bare permission, but such as has joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding." God didn't cause Israel's sin but bounded and directed it toward His purposes while holding them accountable.

Historical Context

The "breach" in Israel was both demographic and structural. Benjamin's military-aged male population was reduced from 26,700 to 600 (Judges 20:15, 47), with towns and civilian populations also destroyed (20:48). This left Benjamin on the verge of extinction—without wives, the 600 surviving men couldn't perpetuate the tribe. Israel's rash oath not to give their daughters to Benjamin (21:1) compounded the problem by cutting off the obvious solution. Their subsequent actions to solve this crisis—attacking Jabesh-gilead and providing 400 captured virgins (21:8-14), then sanctioning the kidnapping of 200 women from Shiloh (21:19-23)—created further injustice.

The near-loss of Benjamin was particularly tragic given this tribe's future significance. Benjamin would produce Israel's first king, Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2), and the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5). The tribe remained loyal to David's house during the divided monarchy, forming part of the southern kingdom of Judah. Yet Benjamin's near-extinction during Judges shows how close this came to not happening. The preservation of the 600 men and the provision of wives, however problematically accomplished, demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human failure—He would not allow His covenant structure (twelve tribes) to be permanently broken by human sin.

Questions for Reflection

• How does God's sovereignty over even tragic consequences of human sin give us confidence in His ultimate purposes while still holding us accountable for our choices?
• What does Israel's "repentance" that focused on consequences rather than their own sin teach about genuine versus superficial repentance?
• How should we respond when we recognize our zealous pursuit of justice has created unjust results?