Judges 21:20

So they commanded the Benjamites: "Go, hide in the vineyards

Study Bible

So they commanded the Benjamites:
The context of this command is the aftermath of a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. The war was sparked by a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a Benjamite city, leading to the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites had sworn not to give their daughters to the Benjamites as wives, which created a crisis for the survival of the tribe. The elders of Israel devised a plan to provide wives for the remaining Benjamite men. This command reflects the urgency and desperation to preserve the tribe, highlighting the importance of tribal continuity in ancient Israelite society. The command also underscores the authority of the tribal leaders in directing the actions of the people.

Go, hide in the vineyards:
The instruction to hide in the vineyards is strategic, as vineyards would provide cover and concealment. Vineyards were common in the region, and their presence indicates the agricultural practices of the time. This setting is significant because it reflects the use of the natural landscape for tactical purposes. The vineyards would have been located near Shiloh, where the annual festival was taking place. This command is part of a larger plan to allow the Benjamites to capture wives during the festival, circumventing the oath made by the Israelites. The use of hiding and ambush tactics is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God’s people employ unconventional methods to achieve their goals, such as Gideon’s battle against the Midianites (Judges 7). This phrase also highlights the tension between human schemes and divine providence in the biblical narrative.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Benjamites
The tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, which faced near extinction due to a civil war with the other Israelite tribes.

2. Israelites
The collective tribes of Israel who, after a conflict with the Benjamites, sought to find wives for the remaining men of Benjamin to preserve the tribe.

3. Vineyards
The location where the Benjamites were instructed to hide, playing a strategic role in the plan to find wives for them.

4. Civil War
The internal conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes, which led to the near destruction of Benjamin.

5. Shiloh
The place where the annual festival of the LORD was held, near which the Benjamites were to find wives.

Teaching Points

Restoration and Redemption
Despite the severe consequences of sin and conflict, God provides a way for restoration. The Benjamites' survival and eventual restoration remind us of God's grace and mercy.

Community Responsibility
The Israelites took responsibility for the survival of the Benjamites, teaching us the importance of caring for and restoring those who have fallen or are in need within our communities.

Strategic Obedience
The Benjamites' obedience to the command to hide in the vineyards demonstrates the importance of following God's guidance, even when it involves unconventional methods.

Consequences of Sin
The near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of seeking God's will to avoid such outcomes.

Unity and Reconciliation
The efforts to restore the tribe of Benjamin highlight the importance of unity and reconciliation among God's people, even after severe conflict.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the near destruction and subsequent restoration of the tribe of Benjamin teach us about God's grace and mercy?

2. How can we apply the principle of community responsibility in our own lives and churches today?

3. In what ways does the account of the Benjamites hiding in the vineyards illustrate the importance of strategic obedience to God's commands?

4. How can the consequences faced by the tribe of Benjamin serve as a warning for us in our personal and communal lives?

5. What steps can we take to promote unity and reconciliation within our own communities, especially after conflicts or disagreements?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 49:27
This verse describes Benjamin as a ravenous wolf, which can be seen as a foreshadowing of the tribe's fierce nature and the events in Judges.

1 Samuel 9:21
Saul, the first king of Israel, was from the tribe of Benjamin, highlighting the tribe's eventual restoration and significance.

Romans 11:1
Paul, an apostle, identifies himself as a Benjamite, showing the enduring legacy and redemption of the tribe.

Deuteronomy 12:5-7
The instructions for worship at the place the LORD chooses, which connects to the festival at Shiloh where the Benjamites were to find wives.

Judges 20:48
The preceding chapter details the destruction of Benjamin, setting the stage for the events in Judges 21.