Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:36
So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
36. the children of Benjamin ] must refer to the 600 survivors. This half verse introduces the account of the flight, which is continued by Jdg 20:42.
Clause b may be regarded as a continuation of Jdg 20:29 in the narrative of A; the description of the feint is parallel to that in Jdg 20:32 b.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten,…. Their forces broken and worsted, many being killed:
for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjaminites; at first, and made as if they were afraid of them, and so fled before them, which was only to decoy them to a greater distance from the city Gibeah:
because they trusted unto the liers in wait, which they had set beside Gibeah; that these would not only enter the city, and burn it, but meet the Benjaminites fleeing back to it, when they should turn upon them and smite them, and so cut off all that remained of them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(36) That they were smitten.The they refers to the Israelites. The rest of the verse gives the reason for the feigned flight.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
36. Gave place Fled, as described in Jdg 20:32.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jdg 20:36 a
‘So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten.’
A summary of the situation. Benjamin now became aware that their end was near. It conveyed to the listeners, who were hearing the account read, the turning point in the battle. This will now be followed by a further description of the action from a slightly different perspective, including more detailed description of other parts of the action.
Jdg 20:36 b
‘For the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted to the liers in wait whom they had set against Gibeah.’
This was part of the explanation for the pretended flight. It also nullified the slingers and drew the Benjaminites into an ambush. But this was introductory to the actions of the liers in wait and therefore concentrated on their part.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 20:36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
Ver. 36. Because they trusted unto the liers in wait. ] As the instruments; but they trusted in God as the chief agent.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
trusted. Confided or placed hope in. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
for the men: Jos 8:15-29
Reciprocal: Jos 8:4 – lie in wait Jos 8:16 – called together
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 20:36-37. The children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten Namely, when they saw the flame in Gibeah, as mentioned Jdg 20:40. But after these words, in the following part of the verse, begins a relation of the whole days action, the particulars of which are related in the following verses. The liers in wait drew themselves along Or extended themselves; whereas before they lay close, and contracted into a narrow compass, now they spread themselves, and marched in rank and file as armies do.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
20:36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel {r} gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
(r) Retired to draw them after.