Judges 20:36 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

So the people of Benjamin realized they were defeated. The men of Israel had retreated and given ground to the Benjamites because they were counting on the soldiers they had hidden in ambush near Gibeah.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse explains that Israel's apparent retreat was actually part of a strategic plan - they were drawing Benjamin into a trap by relying on their hidden ambush forces.

📚 Historical Context

This occurs during the civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other eleven tribes of Israel, triggered by a horrific crime in Gibeah where a Levite's concubine was brutally murdered. After two failed direct attacks, Israel finally succeeded using military strategy and deception, similar to Joshua's tactics at Ai.

Explore Similar Verses

Judges 20:32

The Benjamites said, 'We're defeating them just like we did before.' But the Israelites said, 'Let's retreat and draw them away from the city onto the main roads.'

Judges 20:39

When the Israelite army retreated during the battle, the Benjamites started attacking and killing about thirty Israelite soldiers. The Benjamites said to themselves, 'We're definitely defeating them just like we did in the first battle.'

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