The "Lament for Benjamin" refers to the sorrowful events and subsequent mourning associated with the tribe of Benjamin, as recorded in the Book of Judges, chapters 19-21. This narrative is a poignant episode in the history of Israel, highlighting themes of sin, judgment, and eventual reconciliation among the tribes of Israel.

Biblical Context

The events leading to the lament begin with a grievous 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 abuse the Levite. In a tragic turn, the Levite's concubine was given over to them and was brutally abused throughout the night, leading to her death.

In response to this atrocity, the Levite dismembered her body and sent the pieces throughout the territories of Israel, calling for justice. This act galvanized the tribes of Israel, who gathered at Mizpah to address the crime. The assembly demanded that the tribe of Benjamin surrender the perpetrators from Gibeah, but the Benjamites refused, choosing instead to defend their kinsmen.

The Civil War

This refusal led to a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. The conflict is detailed in Judges 20, where the Israelites sought the Lord's guidance before engaging in battle. Despite initial setbacks, the Israelites eventually defeated the Benjamites with the Lord's assistance. Judges 20:35 states, "The LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel, and on that day the Israelites struck down 25,100 Benjamite swordsmen, all men of valor."

The war resulted in the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin, with only 600 men surviving by fleeing to the rock of Rimmon. The Israelites, in their zeal, had sworn an oath not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites, which threatened the tribe's survival.

The Lament and Restoration

Realizing the gravity of their actions and the potential extinction of one of Israel's tribes, the Israelites lamented deeply. Judges 21:2-3 records their sorrow: "The people went to Bethel, where they sat before God until evening, raising their voices and weeping bitterly. 'O LORD, God of Israel,' they cried, 'why has this happened in Israel? Why should one tribe be missing from Israel today?'"

To resolve this crisis, the Israelites devised a plan to provide wives for the surviving Benjamites without breaking their oath. They identified a group from Jabesh-gilead who had not joined the assembly at Mizpah and took 400 virgins from them to give to the Benjamites. Additionally, they instructed the Benjamites to seize wives during a festival at Shiloh. These actions, though controversial, were seen as necessary to preserve the tribe.

Theological Implications

The "Lament for Benjamin" serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the breakdown of moral and social order. It underscores the importance of justice, the dangers of rash vows, and the need for reconciliation and restoration within the community of God's people. The narrative also highlights God's sovereignty and mercy, as He ultimately preserved the tribe of Benjamin, ensuring the continuity of all twelve tribes of Israel.