Background and Context:
The Outrage at Gibeah and the subsequent War Against Benjamin are recorded in the Book of Judges, chapters 19 to 21. This narrative is set during a time when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The events highlight the moral and social chaos prevalent in Israel during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

The Outrage at Gibeah:
The account begins with a Levite and his concubine traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to their home in the hill country of Ephraim. As night falls, they decide to stay in Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. An old man offers them hospitality, but the men of Gibeah, described as "wicked men" (Judges 19:22), surround the house and demand to have sexual relations with the Levite. In a tragic turn of events, the Levite's concubine is given over to the mob, who abuse her throughout the night, leading to her death.

The Levite, upon discovering her lifeless body, dismembers her and sends her parts throughout the territories of Israel, calling for justice and action against the atrocity committed in Gibeah. This gruesome act serves as a catalyst for the tribes of Israel to gather and address the heinous crime.

The War Against Benjamin:
In response to the outrage, the tribes of Israel assemble at Mizpah, united in their determination to punish the perpetrators. They demand that the tribe of Benjamin surrender the guilty men of Gibeah. However, the Benjamites refuse to comply, choosing instead to defend their kinsmen. This refusal leads to a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel.

The conflict is fierce and costly. The Israelites seek guidance from the LORD at Bethel, and after initial setbacks, they are assured of victory. The LORD instructs them, "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands" (Judges 20:28). On the third day of battle, the Israelites employ a strategic ambush, resulting in the near annihilation of the Benjamite forces. Only 600 Benjamite men escape to the wilderness.

Aftermath and Resolution:
The aftermath of the war leaves the tribe of Benjamin on the brink of extinction. The Israelites, moved by compassion and a sense of national unity, seek to preserve the tribe. They devise a plan to provide wives for the surviving Benjamites, ensuring the continuation of the tribe. This involves the sparing of young women from Jabesh-gilead and the allowance of the Benjamites to take wives from the dancers at Shiloh during a festival.

The narrative concludes with the restoration of the tribe of Benjamin, albeit with a reminder of the moral and spiritual decline that had led to such a devastating conflict. The events underscore the need for righteous leadership and adherence to God's covenant, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.