Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 20

The congregation was gathered together. —This phrase is one which was familiar to the Israelites in the desert. It disappears after the days of Solomon (1 Kings 12:20).

From Dan even to Beer-sheba. —This expression would be like “ from John o’ Groat’s house to Land’s End “ for England and Scotland (1 Samuel 3:18; 1 Samuel 17:11, and other passages). Unless it was added by an anachronism, because it had become familiar when the Book of Judges was written, we should certainly infer from it that, as early as these events were, they were subsequent to the migratory raid of the tribe of Dan to Laish.

With the land of Gilead. —The Trans-Jordanic tribes obeyed the summons, with the exception of the town of Jabesh-Gilead.

To the Lord. —See Note on Judges 11:11. There is not, however, the same difficulty in supposing that the ark and Urim were taken to this Mizpeh, for we see in Judges 20:27 that it was taken to Bethel.

In Mizpeh. —See Note on Judges 11:11. This Mizpeh is not the same as the one there mentioned, but is probably the bold hill and watch-tower now known as Neby Samwil, and called Mountjoie by the Crusaders, from which the traveller gains his first glimpse of Jerusalem. In the Hebrew the name has the article, “the watch-tower.” It was the scene of great gatherings of the tribes in the days of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:2; 1 Samuel 10:17) and of Solomon (2 Chronicles 1:3, probably), and even after the captivity (2 Kings 25:23).

The chief. —The Hebrew word is pinnoth, “corner-stones,” as in 1 Samuel 14:38; Isaiah 19:13.

Four hundred thousand. —From this, we learn the interesting fact that in their struggles against the Canaanites the number of the people had been diminished one-third—that is, to a far greater extent than they had been diminished by the wanderings in the wilderness. For at the census in the first year of the wanderings their numbers were (including 35,400 of Benjamin) 603,550 (Numbers 1:46); and in the census in the last year they were 601,730, excluding the Benjamites, who, unlike the other tribes, had increased in numbers, for they were then 45,600 in number.

Footmen. —The Israelites were forbidden to use either chariots or cavalry. (See Notes on Judges 1:19; Judges 4:3.)

That drew sword. —Judges 8:10.

Heard. —Probably the Benjamites had received the same summons as the other tribes , but insolently refused to notice the summons.

Tell us.—Literally, You tell us. The request is addressed to any who could give the necessary information.

The men of Gibeah. —Literally, the lords of Gibeah, as in Judges 9:2. We cannot infer that they were heathen inhabitants of the town, though they behaved as if they were. If the phrase implies that they were men in positions of authority, it perhaps shows why there was no rescue and little resistance. This is also probable, because there could not have been the same unwillingness to give up to justice a few lawless and insignificant offenders.

Thought to have slain me. —Obviously, some circumstances of the assault have been omitted in Judges 19:22-25. The Levite colors the whole story in the way most favorable to himself.

You are all children of Israel. —There would not be much point in this remark. Rather, you are all here, children of Israel.

Your advice and counsel. —Judges 19:30. “In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom.”