Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:3
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell [us], how was this wickedness?
3. The first half of the verse interrupts the connexion with Jdg 20:1 d; it would be in place before Jdg 20:14. The displacement was no doubt caused by the insertion of Jdg 20:2 ; Jdg 20:9-13 into the older narrative.
And the children of Israel etc.] Here follows A’s report of what happened at the meeting: the evidence of the Levite is heard. In B the assembly does not ask for evidence; their righteous indignation has been roused, and they proceed to act at once, Jdg 20:9 ff.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 3. Tell us, how was this wickedness?] They had heard before, by the messengers he sent with the fragments of his wife’s body; but they wish to hear it, in full council, from himself.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The children of Benjamin heard; like persons unconcerned and resolved, they neither went nor sent thither; partly, from their own pride, and stubbornness, and self-confidence; partly, because as they were loth to give up any of their brethren to justice, so they presumed the other tribes would never proceed to a war against them; and partly, from a Divine infatuation hardening that wicked tribe to their own destruction.
Tell us; the verb is of the plural number, because they speak to the Levite, and his servant, and his host, who doubtless were present upon this occasion.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Now the children of Benjaminheard that the children of Israel were gone up to MizpehSomesuppose that Benjamin had been passed over, the crime having beenperpetrated within the territory of that tribe [Jud19:16]; and that, as the concubine’s corpse had been divided intotwelve pieces [Jud 19:29] twohad been sent to Manasseh, one respectively to the western andeastern divisions. It is more probable that Benjamin had received aformal summons like the other tribes, but chose to treat it withindifference, or haughty disdain.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh,…. Having no doubt the same notice the rest of the tribes had; but the thing complained of being done in their tribe, and by some of it, they might be willing to screen the delinquents, or were careless about and indifferent to the case, and secure and easy, as imagining their brethren would never go to war with them about it; or were proud and haughty, and would pay no regard to the summons given them:
then said the children of Israel, tell us, how was this wickedness? proclamation was made in the assembly, that if any person there knew anything of this shocking affair, and horrid iniquity, which was the occasion of their meeting together, that they would rise up and declare what was the cause of it, how it came about, and by whom it was done; or they addressed themselves particularly to the Levite, and his host, and his servant, who might all be upon the spot to bear witness in this case, as it is certain the former of them was, who upon this stood up, and spoke as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) Heard.Probably the Benjamites had received the same summons as the other tribes (see Jdg. 19:29), but insolently refused to notice the summons.
Tell us.Literally, Tell ye us. The request is addressed to any who could give the necessary information.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. How was this wickedness The members of the assembly had heard the substance of the horrid tale before, but the purpose of the council required that the particulars be now publicly related in the hearing of all.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jdg 20:3 a
‘Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.’
This is a parenthesis. It would hardly seem surprising as they met on Benjaminite territory. But the statement ‘had heard’ probably means that they had received the call and had refused it. It was in fact a grave mistake not to have made more effort to ensure the Benjaminite leaders were there, for had they been there and agreed the verdict the problems that resulted may not have occurred. Trying to force an opinion on people without their participation is a recipe for disaster. Of course if the call to the assembly went with the parts of the concubine’s body that may explain why they did not come. They were offended.
Jdg 20:3 b
‘And the children of Israel, said, ‘Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?’
The leaders who had gathered together now commenced the case, and asked for details of what had occurred. There would presumably be present as witnesses the Levite, his servant and the old man from Gibeah.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?
If Benjamin had not been grossly sunk in wickedness, what a fine opportunity was here afforded to have sent in their supplication for pardon. But alas! Sin hardens, and not softens, by repeated commissions.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“Tell us how was this wickedness? ” Jdg 20:3 .
We should not shrink from scrutinising evil, and asking it piercing questions as to its origin and cause. We cannot deal with wickedness until we have got at its roots. Evil is not an accident which is found upon the surface, varying with the climate and the light; it is a disease of the heart, and only a heart-cure can utterly extirpate the evil and restore health to the whole man. Men who cannot conduct a great philosophical inquiry as to the origin of evil may conduct a very searching scrutiny into their own questionable or wicked actions. “How was this wickedness?” Was it because of a desire to fulfil a selfish ambition? Was it done in order to quench a fiery appetite? Was it done suddenly, in a moment of madness, or after long consideration and ample preparation? Was it one of the sudden blasts which seize the soul without notice? Or did we roll the iniquity under our tongue as a sweet morsel and enjoy the wickedness long in advance? Sometimes it will do the soul good to tell the tale of its wickedness to friendly inquirers. There is a sense in which confession even by man to man may do the soul great good. The confession must not be made in any sacerdotal sense, as if man had power to forgive sin, but it must be told to force the soul itself into contrition, shame, self-renunciation, and to constitute a kind of judgment outside itself which it may continually fear. It is possible by this kind of confession to create a species of criticism on the part of others which may hold us in restraint in days to come. The great thought is that we are not to cover up wickedness, or lessen it, or decorate it, or excuse it; we are to tell the plain and shameful tale straight out from end to end, that we may know how the disease is to be treated. “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.” The Gospel tells us that there is a Man who receiveth sinners. His name is Jesus Christ. No man ever came to him with broken-hearted desire to repent of his sin and abandon it who was turned away with one word or look of discouragement.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Jdg 20:3
Ver. 3. Then said the children of Israel, Tell us. ] This they said to the Levite, to his servant, and to the old man his host. Janius will have it spoken to the Benjamites, who should have answered by their agents at this meeting: who because they appeared not, the Levite remonstrateth the whole business briefly and plainly, without preface or passions. a
a .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Now. Note the Figure of speech Parenthesis in this verse. App-6. Mizpeh on the south-west border of Benjamin, not Mizpeh on the east of Jordan (Jdg 10:17; Jdg 11:11, Jdg 11:29).
wickedness. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the children of Benjamin: Pro 22:3, Mat 5:25, Luk 12:58, Luk 12:59, Luk 14:31, Luk 14:32
how was: Jdg 19:22-27
Reciprocal: Neh 3:15 – Mizpah
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 20:3. The children of Benjamin heard Like persons unconcerned and resolved, they neither went nor sent thither: partly through their own pride and stubbornness; partly because, as they were loath to give up any of their brethren to justice, so they presumed the other tribes would never proceed to war against them; and partly from a divine infatuation, hardening that wicked tribe to their own destruction. Tell us They speak to the Levite, and his servant, and his host, who doubtless were present upon this occasion.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
20:3 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then {d} said the children of Israel, Tell [us], how was this wickedness?
(d) To the Levite.