Judges 21
DOYLYJudges 21:4
- — built there an altar.] They probably erected, on this occasion, a new altar besides the usual one; as they intended to offer such a multitude of sacrifices, that the ordinary altar would not be sufficient to contain them. Thus Solomon did, when he dedicated the temple, 1 Kings viii. 64. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells.
Judges 21:6
- — repented them for Benjamin] Lamented their too great severity towards Benjamin. The concern which the Israelites expressed at the havock made among their brethren of the tribe of Benjamin, in their late defeat, should teach us never to rejoice at any advantage we gain when others suffer by it, though they should have brought the evil upon themselves by their own fault. We should likewise learn from this history, never to give way to resentment, how just soever it may appear, nor to chastise the guilty with too much severity; lest, in our anger, we commit a deed of which we may have reason afterwards to repent. This was the case with the Israelites, who, instead of using their victory over the Benjamites with moderation, made too great a slaughter of them; and, when they perceived that one of the tribes was almost extinct, were deeply concerned at it. Again, as the Israelites laboured to recover the tribe of Benjamin, humanity and charity require us to contribute all in our power to the relief and comfort of the miserable, especially of our brethren, and when the glory of God and the good of religion require it at our hands. Ostervold.
Judges 21:11
- — Ye shall utterly destroy every male.] The massacre of the people of Jabesh-gilead was a cruel expedient to extricate the Israelites from a difficulty, in which their superstitious observance of an unlawful oath had involved them; and is a sad instance of the iniquity and barbarity of the times. If it be said that the cherem or sentence of utter execration was passed upon them, it does not appear with what justice the virgins, ver. 12, could be spared, unless we suppose that God signified His intention of dispensing with the full execution of the sentence, by reason of publick necessity. Stackhouse. The indiscriminate massacre of the people of Jabeshgilead, and the rape of the virgins at Shiloh, were certainly stamped with marks of injustice and cruelty; and must be condemned on those principles, which the Scriptures have elsewhere furnished, though, in the brevity of the sacred history, they are here recorded without comment. Dr. Gray.
Judges 21:15
- — the Lord had made a breach] It appears that The Benjamites surprize the virgins of Shiloh. Before CHRIST about 1406.
gregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
Judges 21:17
- — There must be an inheritance] In the Hebrew the words are, “The inheritance of them that are escaped is for Benjamin.” That is, those of the Benjamites which remain must still possess the lot of inheritance which was given to their tribe. Bp. Patrick.
Judges 21:19
- — a feast of the Lord in Shiloh] All the three great festivals were to be observed in the place where God settled His habitation, which was now at Shiloh. It is thought by many, that the feast now mentioned is the feast of tabernacles, which was the season of harvest and vintage, and a time of great joy and festivity. Bp. Patrick.
It is more probable that this was some festival peculiar to the people of Shiloh, of which the Benjamites knew nothing, and were therefore put in mind by the “elders of the congregation.” Josephus tells us, it was celebrated thrice a year. It might be customary, on this festival, for the young women to go out into the fields, to dance by themselves, which afforded those who had designs upon them the very opportunity they wanted. Le Clerc.
Judges 21:21
- — come out to dance] As it was probable that they would express their joy in this customary manner. By “daughters of Shiloh” are perhaps meant, not only those who lived in that city, but in the neighbouring country. Bp. Patrick.
Judges 21:22
- — for ye did not give unto them &c.] They tell them, they might safely acquiesce without incurring the guilt of breaking their oath, as they did not willingly give the wives, but yielded them by force. Dr. Wells.
Judges 21:25
- In those days &c.] Thus ended this bloody and desperate civil war amongst God’s own people, being the effect of that lewdness and degeneracy of manners that spread itself through the nation during the fore-
vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.