Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
So they turned and ran away from the Israelite army toward the wilderness, but the battle caught up with them. The Israelites also destroyed those who came out from the cities, surrounding them completely.
This verse describes how the Benjamites fled from the Israeli army but were completely surrounded and defeated, with even those from their cities being destroyed.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other eleven tribes of Israel, sparked by a horrific crime in Gibeah. After two initial defeats, the Israelites had finally gained the upper hand using a strategic ambush. This was one of the darkest periods in Israel's history, happening during the time of the judges when 'every man did what was right in his own eyes.'
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