In the biblical narrative found in the Book of Judges, chapters 19 to 21, the Israelites make a rash vow that leads to near-catastrophic consequences for the tribe of Benjamin. This episode serves as a poignant example of the dangers of making impulsive vows without seeking divine guidance or considering the broader implications.

The context of this vow begins with a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a town in the territory of Benjamin. A Levite and his concubine, while traveling, seek refuge in Gibeah. The men of the city, described as "wicked men," surround the house where they are staying and demand to have relations with the Levite. To protect himself, the Levite sends out his concubine, who is brutally abused and left for dead. Upon discovering her lifeless body, the Levite dismembers her and sends the pieces throughout the tribes of Israel, inciting outrage and a call to action.

In response to this atrocity, the Israelites gather at Mizpah and resolve to address the sin committed in Gibeah. Judges 20:1-2 states, "Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out as one man and assembled before the LORD at Mizpah. The leaders of all the people of the tribes of Israel took their places in the assembly of God’s people, four hundred thousand men armed with swords."

In their zeal for justice, the Israelites make a rash vow, swearing not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites. Judges 21:1 records, "Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah: 'Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.'" This vow, made in the heat of anger, sets the stage for further tragedy.

The Israelites demand that the tribe of Benjamin hand over the perpetrators, but the Benjamites refuse, leading to a civil war. The conflict results in the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin, with only six hundred men surviving. The Israelites, realizing the gravity of their actions and the potential extinction of one of the twelve tribes, lament their vow and seek a solution to preserve the Benjamites.

To resolve the crisis, the Israelites devise a plan to provide wives for the surviving Benjamites without directly breaking their vow. They identify a group from Jabesh-gilead who had not joined the assembly at Mizpah and attack them, sparing only the virgin women to be given as wives to the Benjamites. Additionally, they instruct the Benjamites to seize wives from the daughters of Shiloh during a festival, as described in Judges 21:20-23 .

This episode highlights the severe consequences of making vows in haste and the moral and ethical dilemmas that can arise from such decisions. The Israelites' initial desire for justice is overshadowed by the rashness of their vow, leading to unintended suffering and the near destruction of a tribe. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking God's guidance and wisdom before making binding commitments.Judges 21:5,6
And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation to the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.
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Judges 20:21
And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
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Book 5 Footnotes
... if not constantly, called them either Hebrews or Israelites. ... the sacredness of solemn
oaths and vows, in God's ... making and endeavoring to execute a rash vow or ...
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