When the rest of Israel hears about the atrocity that happened at Gibeah in Benjamin, they are enraged. They gather in mass at Mizpah to plan their response.
After the Levite shares his tale of woe (vs. 4-7), the people are ready for war against Gibeah. They are quick to state their resolve: "All the people got up as one, saying, 'We will not any of us go to our tents, nor will any of us return to our houses'" (vs. 8). Israel is united as one against a common enemy. Unfortunately, that common enemy is one of their own brethren!
The tribe of Benjamin, rather than rallying to Israel and demanding justice from their town of Gibeah, chooses to side instead with their closer kin. Twenty-six thousand Benjaminites answer the call to defend Gibeah against a force of 400,000 Israelites. The tribe of Judah is given the order to attack first - and defeat is dealt them as 22,000 men die. The next attack does little better - 18,000 men die. In the first two waves, 10% of the Israelite force has been killed. After a time of soul-searching and offering up sacrifices, the Israelites inquire of the Lord: Should we continue the fight, or give up? God answers - Fight on! Tomorrow is the day they will be delivered into your hand! (vs. 28)
Sure enough, the next day brings a slaughter of Benjaminites, to the extent that the tribe is almost wiped out. Thinking that they are winning as during the previous two battles, the Benjaminites come out of Gibeah in pursuit of the fleeing Israelite forces. Then a hidden ambush takes the city, and the Benjaminite warriors have nowhere to go! They flee and are struck down. In all, 25,000 of the Benjaminites were killed and only 600 remained at the rock of Rimmon.
The Israelites have overdone their vengeance to the point that one of the tribes of Israel is in danger of extinction! But that is a problem for another chapter...
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