Judges 20:18–23 – Why would God direct Israel to attack Benjamin, allow defeat twice, and then finally grant them victory on the third attempt?

Historical Setting and Context

Judges chapter 20 recounts a tragic and tumultuous period marked by lawlessness and moral decline among the tribes of Israel. The event arose after a grievous crime in Gibeah, within the territory of Benjamin (Judges 19). Outraged by this atrocity, the other tribes sought justice and, after assembling at Mizpah, prepared for battle (Judges 20:1–11). According to the Berean Standard Bible, “Then the Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God. They asked, ‘Who shall go up first to fight for us against the Benjamites?’ The LORD answered, ‘Judah shall go first’” (Judges 20:18).

These verses present a dilemma: God directs Israel to go into battle against Benjamin, yet Israel experiences two crushing defeats before finally overcoming Benjamin on their third attempt. Understanding the historical context reveals that this episode occurred during the era of the Judges (approximately 14th–11th century BC), a time the biblical text repeatedly describes with phrases like, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

Widespread Moral Decay

Before focusing on the Benjamites’ sin, the broader moral condition of Israel must be considered. Throughout the Book of Judges, there is a recurring pattern of spiritual compromise, idolatry, and internal strife. The violent crime in Gibeah was a symptom of a deeper nationwide degradation. Israel’s willingness to engage in conflicts, coupled with the cynicism toward God’s law, contributes to the overarching sense that Israel, as a whole, was in spiritual disarray.

Israel’s Inquiries and the Initial Defeats

When the tribes first inquire of the Lord—“Who shall go up first?”—God tells them, “Judah shall go first” (Judges 20:18). Despite this divine instruction, Israel suffers a severe loss on the battlefield (Judges 20:21). They weep and inquire again: “Shall we again advance against our brothers the Benjamites?” (Judges 20:23). The Lord responds, “March against them,” yet Israel faces another defeat (Judges 20:25).

These setbacks can be perplexing, prompting questions about God’s justice and intentions. Though God gives Israel permission to fight, permission does not guarantee immediate success. The larger narrative indicates that God was not merely punishing Benjamin; God was dealing with the collective sin of all the tribes.

The Divine Purpose Behind Delay

1. National Humility and Repentance

By allowing two defeats, God confronts the Israelite tribes with their need to seek Him earnestly. Judges 20:26 notes that after the second defeat, “all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept, sitting before the LORD; they fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD”. This deeper expression of sorrow and reliance upon God shows that their hearts were more contrite than before.

2. Confrontation of Idolatry and Self-Reliance

The era of the Judges consistently portrays Israel sliding into idolatry. The defeats exposed any presumption that success was guaranteed simply because they were the majority. Only when Israel turned wholly to God, with fasting and sacrifices, did they align themselves correctly under His authority.

3. Distinction Between Mere Permission and Full Endorsement

Although God permitted Israel to fight, the initial inquiry from the Israelites asked “Who shall go up first?” rather than seeking deeper guidance on the spiritual condition of the nation. The allowed defeats underscore that God’s ultimate goal was more extensive than a swift conquest of Benjamin. It was the purification of the entire people.

The Third Inquiry and Final Victory

After two losses, Israel’s leaders and army come before the Lord in weeping, fasting, and worship (Judges 20:26). Phinehas the priest inquires of God, asking, “Shall we again go out to battle against our brothers the Benjamites, or should we stop?” (Judges 20:28). God responds, “Go, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand” (Judges 20:28).

Emphasizing genuine repentance and heartfelt dependence on Him, the Lord grants Israel the victory on the third attempt. The victory also comes with a warning: even those deemed righteous by virtue of seeking justice can face God’s discipline if their hearts and motives are not fully surrendered.

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

1. Tell el-Ful (Likely Biblical Gibeah)

Many scholars identify Tell el-Ful, located just north of Jerusalem, as the site of Gibeah. Excavations have unearthed remains consistent with a strategic stronghold, supporting the biblical narrative’s depiction of a fortified town.

2. Josephus’ Account

The ancient historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book V) recounts Israel’s war against the Benjamites, corroborating the severity of the events recorded in Judges 20. While Josephus offers some interpretive details of his own era, his record further affirms the historicity of the conflict.

3. Manuscript Evidence

The text of Judges from key Hebrew manuscripts—such as the Leningrad Codex, the Aleppo Codex, and fragments found in the Dead Sea Scrolls—consistently preserves this account without contradictions. This stable transmission underscores the reliability of the narrative as presented in our modern translations, including the Berean Standard Bible.

Spiritual and Moral Lessons

1. Corporate Responsibility

The tribe of Benjamin was not the only party that needed correction. The shocking crime in Gibeah revealed widespread complacency. The defeats served as a humbling force, emphasizing that all Israel needed to address a deeper moral problem.

2. The Necessity of True Repentance

The turning point arrived not merely when the people asked God what to do, but when they coupled their petitions with fasting, weeping, and serious worship. Authentic contrition leads to the kind of transformation that precedes victory.

3. God’s Sovereignty in Judgment and Mercy

God’s sovereignty is evident in allowing losses that ultimately achieve a greater sanctification in the nation. In the end, He does deliver Israel when their posture before Him is one of heartfelt obedience and humility.

Conclusion

Judges 20:18–23 raises a challenging question: Why would God direct Israel to attack yet allow them to fail twice before granting victory? The narrative reveals that God’s greater design was to confront and correct the spiritual condition of an entire people, not merely judge one tribe for its wrongdoing. The repeated setbacks humbled Israel, drove them to repentance, and reaffirmed that success comes through genuine submission to God. Historical, archaeological, and manuscript evidence supports the authenticity of this account. Its lessons speak to the profound need for collective accountability, genuine humility, and unwavering trust in divine direction. Ultimately, the passage underscores that victory is granted at God’s appointed time, often coinciding with the deep transformation of the heart.