Judges 20:36-38
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The surprising twist here is that the Israelites pretended to be defeated, using a feigned retreat. This wasn't a sign of weakness, but a deliberate strategy to draw the Benjamites into a trap, relying on their hidden allies to achieve victory.
So the people of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. The men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin, because they trusted the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah. Then the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush moved out and struck all the city with the edge of the sword. Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites have devised a strategy: a feigned retreat to draw the Benjamites into a trap while an ambush force captures their city. As the main Israelite army pretends to flee, the Benjamites, overconfident and believing they are winning, press their advantage. This text marks the turning point where the Benjamites realize their pursuit has led them into a devastating ambush, and their city is now engulfed in flames.
Have you ever seen someone pretend to be weaker than they are to draw an opponent into a trap? That's exactly what the Israelites did here.
The battle wasn't going the Israelites' way initially. The tribe of Benjamin was fierce and skilled in warfare.
The Decoy
Instead of charging headfirst into a losing fight, the Israelite army strategically 'gave ground' to the Benjamites. This wasn't a sign of defeat, but a deliberate tactic. They were drawing Benjamin further away from their stronghold, Gibeah, making them vulnerable. This feigned flight was a crucial part of a larger, divinely ordained plan to bring judgment upon Benjamin for their terrible sin.
Trusting the Plan
This strategy relied heavily on the trust the Israelites placed in the 'men in ambush' they had positioned earlier. The success of the feigned flight depended on the ambush force carrying out their part of the plan – to enter Gibeah and set it ablaze, creating a signal and a trap.
Imagine fighting a battle, feeling victorious, only to see your home city go up in smoke behind you. That's the moment Benjamin realized their doom.
The tide of the battle turned not just because of military maneuvers, but because of a signal of destruction.
The Signal of Smoke
Judges 20:40 mentions a pillar of smoke rising from Gibeah. This was the pre-arranged signal that the ambush force had successfully entered the city and were carrying out their part of the plan. Seeing this smoke was the critical moment where the Benjamites realized they were trapped.
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Divine Judgment Unleashed
This wasn't just a military defeat; it was the culmination of God's judgment against the wickedness that had taken root in Benjamin, specifically their horrific actions in Gibeah. The burning city was a visible sign that the consequences they had sown were now returning to reap disaster. The Israelites, seeing the signal, could then turn back and engage the fleeing Benjamites with renewed confidence and God's clear approval.
Understand the original words
Binyamin · Hebrew Proper Noun
The tribe of Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for their skill in warfare and their fierceness, but in this context, they are undergoing judgment for their moral corruption. Historically, this tribe descended from Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin.
ma'rab · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical military context, this refers to a group of soldiers hidden to surprise the enemy. It is often used to execute a strategic plan that relies on deception or timing to achieve victory over a superior or entrenched force.
Gibeah · Hebrew Proper Noun
The city of Gibeah was a prominent site in the territory of Benjamin and is most famously remembered in the Bible for the horrific sin of its inhabitants, which served as the catalyst for this war between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. It became synonymous with wickedness and divine judgment.
lepi-chereb · Hebrew Idiomatic phrase
Literally 'the mouth of the sword,' this phrase is a standard Hebrew idiom used to describe death by the sword in battle. It implies a thorough, violent, and fatal execution of divine or military judgment.
mas'eth · Hebrew Noun
A sign or mark used to convey a message or initiate a predetermined action. In a tactical or theological sense, it represents an objective indicator that a specific divine or strategic command has been fulfilled and that the next stage of action must begin.
This verse captures the pivotal moment in the final battle where the Benjamites, witnessing the destruction of their city, finally understood the devastating trap laid by the Israelites.
c. 1050 BC
The Gibeah Incident
A Levite and his concubine are horrifically assaulted and killed by the men of Gibeah, an act of extreme violence and tribal lawlessness.
c. 1050 BC
Israelite Confederacy Mobilizes
The tribes of Israel unite in outrage, calling for the punishment of Gibeah, but the tribe of Benjamin refuses to hand over the perpetrators.
c. 1050 BC
First Battles Against Benjamin
The united tribes launch military campaigns against Benjamin, suffering heavy initial losses at Gibeah, totaling around 40,000 men over two days.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Israelite Strategy Shift
After initial defeats, the Israelite army changes tactics, planning a feigned retreat to lure the Benjamites into a trap, supported by a hidden ambush force.
c. 1050 BC
Gibeah is Burned
The ambush force, having entered Gibeah, sets the city ablaze, creating a visible signal of destruction that alerts the Benjamites in battle.
c. 1050 BC
The Annihilation of Benjamin
The Benjamites, realizing their city is burning and their forces are trapped, are decisively defeated, with nearly all men and their military power wiped out.
This passage details a similar military strategy involving a feigned flight and an ambush to conquer a city, directly paralleling the tactics used by the Israelites against Benjamin.
1 Samuel 17:34-37David recounts his reliance on God's past deliverance when facing Goliath, highlighting a trust in divine help that enables courage and victory, much like the Israelites trusted their ambush plan.
Psalm 18:34-35The Psalmist praises God for His strength and teaching him how to fight, emphasizing divine enablement in battle and skill, mirroring how the Israelites’ strategy was guided by God.
Proverbs 21:31This verse states that preparation for battle is from the Lord, reminding us that even human strategies and ambushes are ultimately dependent on God's favor for success.
pooleJudges 20:36: "So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah."
No text from Poole on this verse.
ellicottJudges 20:36: "So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah."
(36) That they were smitten. —The “they” refers to the Israelites. The rest of the verse gives the reason for the feigned flight.
The surprising twist here is that the Israelites pretended to be defeated, using a feigned retreat. This wasn't a sign of weakness, but a deliberate strategy to draw the Benjamites into a trap, relying on their hidden allies to achieve victory.
The Israelites have devised a strategy: a feigned retreat to draw the Benjamites into a trap while an ambush force captures their city. As the main Israelite army pretends to flee, the Benjamites, overconfident and believing they are winning, press their advantage. This text marks the turning point where the Benjamites realize their pursuit has led them into a devastating ambush, and their city is now engulfed in flames.
The Israelites have devised a strategy: a feigned retreat to draw the Benjamites into a trap while an ambush force captures their city. As the main Israelite army pretends to flee, the Benjamites, overconfident and believing they are winning, press their advantage. This text marks the turning point where the Benjamites realize their pursuit has led them into a devastating ambush, and their city is now engulfed in flames.
"So the people of Benjamin saw that they were defeated.
The men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin, because they trusted the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah. Then the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men…" — The surprising twist here is that the Israelites pretended to be defeated, using a feigned retreat. This wasn't a sign of weakness, but a deliberate strategy to draw the Benjamites into a trap, rel…
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Last reviewed October 2026
