Topical Bible: Ambush: At Gibeah

◄ Ambush: At Gibeah ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The ambush at Gibeah is a significant event recorded in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 20. This event is part of the larger narrative concerning the civil conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel. The conflict arose due to a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a city of Benjamin, which led to a call for justice by the other tribes.

Context and Background

The incident at Gibeah begins with a heinous crime against a Levite's concubine, which is detailed in Judges 19. The men of Gibeah, described as "wicked men" (Judges 19:22), abused and ultimately caused the death of the concubine. In response, the Levite dismembered her body and sent the pieces throughout Israel, inciting outrage and a call for retribution against the perpetrators.

The tribes of Israel, united in their demand for justice, gathered at Mizpah to address the atrocity. They demanded that the tribe of Benjamin surrender the guilty men of Gibeah, but the Benjamites refused, choosing instead to defend their kinsmen. This refusal led to a civil war between Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel.

The Battle Strategy

The Israelites sought the Lord's guidance before engaging in battle, and after two initial defeats, they devised a strategic plan involving an ambush. Judges 20:29-30 states, "Then Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before."

The strategy involved drawing the Benjamites out of the city by feigning retreat, allowing the ambush to be executed. Judges 20:33-34 describes the execution of the plan: "All the men of Israel rose up out of their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, while the Israelites in ambush charged out of their places west of Gibeah. Then 10,000 choice men from all Israel came against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce. But the Benjamites did not realize that disaster was upon them."

Outcome and Significance

The ambush was successful, leading to a decisive victory for the Israelites. Judges 20:35 records, "The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites struck down 25,100 Benjamite swordsmen, all men of valor."

The ambush at Gibeah serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of justice. It highlights the need for communal responsibility and the pursuit of righteousness, even when it involves difficult decisions and actions against one's own people. The event also underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in times of conflict and the assurance that God is just and will ultimately prevail.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 20:29-41
And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... When therefore they had divided the army into two parts, they laid the one half
of them in ambush about the city Gibeah by night, while the other half attacked ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

The First Kings.
... Messengers hastened to Saul, in Gibeah, and found him returning from his herds in ...
They supposed the Hebrews were rushing from ambush upon them, and began to fly ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Exile Continued.
... His foes, with ceaseless malice, arrest his words; they skulk in ambush, they dog
his ... Thou, number." He is not alone in these weary flights from Gibeah to Ramah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... gave information of this to his master, and invited him to come by night and lie
in ambush in the ... The Philistine garrison at Geba (Gibeah) is mentioned in ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm