KJV ORIGINAL
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
(Now the people of Benjamin heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, 'Tell us, how did this terrible thing happen?'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The Israelites gathered to hear the facts about a horrible crime that had been committed, while the tribe of Benjamin learned about this meeting.
📚 Historical Context
This verse occurs during one of the darkest periods in Israel's history, when there was no king and moral chaos prevailed. The Israelites had assembled at Mizpah to address a shocking crime involving the rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in the Benjamite town of Gibeah. This gathering would lead to civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel.
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