Judges 20:2 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

The leaders of all the people from every tribe of Israel came together in God's assembly - four hundred thousand soldiers ready for battle with their swords.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is describing how all the tribes of Israel united together, bringing 400,000 armed men to deal with a serious crisis.

📚 Historical Context

This gathering occurred after the horrific rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in Gibeah, a city in Benjamin's territory. The Levite had cut her body into twelve pieces and sent them throughout Israel, calling for justice. This massive assembly represents one of the rare times all twelve tribes came together as a unified nation during the chaotic period of the judges.

Explore Similar Verses

1 Chronicles 28:1

David gathered together all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem - the tribal leaders, the military commanders who served the king in rotating shifts, the captains of thousands and hundreds of soldiers, the managers of all the king's property and possessions (including those belonging to his sons), along with the palace officials, the mighty warriors, and all the brave fighting men.

1 Samuel 13:5

The Philistines assembled their army to fight against Israel - thirty thousand chariots, six thousand cavalry, and so many foot soldiers they were like sand on the seashore. They marched up and set up camp in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

1 Samuel 15:4

So Saul gathered all his people together and counted them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah.

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