 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
Because of the rape of the concubine, the entire nation of Israel sent troops to Mizpah, some 450,000 strong. The leaders called the Levite to relate the story again to them and they all agreed that the town of Gibeah had to be punished. 4,500 men were chosen to man the supply line and the rest would be used for the destruction of Gibeah. Messengers were sent to talk to the leaders of Benjamin to urge them to turn over those who had been responsible for the rape but the leaders refused, instead they sent 26,000 troops to join with the 700 local troops to defend Gibeah.
Before the battle, the army of Israel went up to Bethel to council with the Lord. The Lord told them to let Judah lead the attack. They did as the Lord commanded and attacked Gibeah and lost with the death of 22,000 men. They cried unto the Lord to find out if they should attack again and the Lord said yes but this time they lost again with the death of 18,000 more men. They counseled again with the Lord and this time the Lord said that He would give them victory. He gave them a plan. They were to divide their forces, send half around to the back and the other half would advance on Gibeah as they had the two days before. When the forces of Gibeah came out to attack, the Israeli forces would retreat as they had done before and draw the forces of Gibeah away from the city. Them the Israeli troops behind Gibeah would enter the unprotected city and destroy it. Them the retreating forces of Israel would turn and attack catching the forces of Gibeah between the two groups of Israeli. The forces of Gibeah were destroyed and 25,000 Benjaminites were killed that day.
Then the army of Israel destroyed most of the entire population of Benjamin.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |