The Civil War against the tribe of Benjamin is a significant event recorded in the Book of Judges, chapters 19-21. This conflict arose during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by social and moral chaos in Israel, as the refrain "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25) frequently underscores.

Background and Cause

The war was precipitated by a heinous crime committed in the Benjamite city of Gibeah. A Levite and his concubine, while traveling, sought refuge in Gibeah. The men of the city, described as "wicked men" (Judges 19:22), surrounded the house where they were staying and demanded to have relations with the Levite. To protect himself, the Levite sent out his concubine, who was brutally abused and left for dead. The Levite, upon discovering her lifeless body, dismembered her and sent the pieces throughout Israel as a call to action against the atrocity.

Israel's Response

The tribes of Israel, united in outrage, gathered at Mizpah to address the crime. They demanded that the tribe of Benjamin surrender the perpetrators from Gibeah. However, the Benjamites refused to heed the call for justice and instead chose to protect the guilty men, leading to a full-scale civil war.

The War

The conflict saw the Israelites muster an army of 400,000 men against the Benjamites, who fielded 26,000 warriors, including 700 elite left-handed slingers (Judges 20:15-16). Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Benjamites initially inflicted heavy casualties on the Israelites, killing 22,000 on the first day and 18,000 on the second (Judges 20:21, 25).

The Israelites, seeking divine guidance, wept and fasted before the LORD at Bethel. They inquired of the LORD, who instructed them to continue the battle, promising victory on the third day (Judges 20:26-28).

The Decisive Battle

On the third day, the Israelites set an ambush around Gibeah. As the Benjamites were drawn out of the city, the Israelites feigned retreat, luring the Benjamites into a trap. The ambush was sprung, and the city of Gibeah was set ablaze. The Benjamites, realizing their predicament, were overwhelmed, and 25,100 of their warriors were slain (Judges 20:29-46).

Aftermath and Reconciliation

The war nearly annihilated the tribe of Benjamin, leaving only 600 men who fled to the rock of Rimmon. The Israelites, grieved by the near extinction of one of their tribes, sought to restore Benjamin. They devised a plan to provide wives for the surviving Benjamites, ensuring the tribe's continuity (Judges 21:1-23).

This episode highlights the severe moral and social decay in Israel during the time of the Judges, as well as the consequences of lawlessness and the absence of centralized leadership. The civil war against Benjamin serves as a sobering reminder of the need for justice, unity, and adherence to God's commandments.