Ver. 1. Unto the Lord in Mizpeh.] Where was, they say, an oratory or synagogue; [/RAPC 1Ma 3:46] and that here was the first beginning of synagogues, which were as chapels of ease to the tabernacle or temple. That meet at Mizpeh, (1 Samuel 7:5) is very famous. Hither they resorted, as being in the heart of the country, when any great business concerning the public was to be transacted. See 1 Samuel 10:17 Jer 40:7,8.
Ver. 2. And the chief of all the people.] Heb., The corners of all the people: for the chieftains and rulers bear up the people, and hold them together, as the corner stones do the whole building, which else would soon shatter and fall to ruin. See the like in Zephaniah 3:6. Diodat rendereth it, the cantons. Ut anguli in domo, sunt primates in populo. -Vat.
Ver. 3. Then said the children of Israel, Tell us.] This they said to the Levite, to his servant, and to the old man his host. Janius will have it spoken to the Benjamites, who should have answered by their agents at this meeting: who because they appeared not, the Levite remonstrateth the whole business briefly and plainly, without preface or passions. ανευ προοιμιων και παθων.
Ver. 4. The husband of the woman.] She was not then his harlot, but a secondary wife, as is before noted.
Ver. 5. And the men of Gibeah.] Some certain varlets there; not all the city, as once at Sodom. (Genesis 19:4,5) But because these were not punished, but countenanced, all became guilty. And thought to have slain me.] As they have done my concubine: and perhaps they threatened to kill him, if he would not come forth, and be abused by them. And my concubine have they forced.] The monks in Bohemia ravished a sister of that noble warrior, Zisca; in revenge whereof he took arms, overthrew three hundred monasteries, and did many more great exploits against the Papists there, and in other parts of Germany. i.e., Abuti me praepostera libidine usque ad mortem. -Val.
Ver. 6. For they have committed lewdness.] Wickedness with a witness: such as may not go unpunished.
Ver. 7. Behold, ye are all children of Israel.] This injury reacheth not to me alone, but to the whole community.
Ver. 8. And all the people arose as one man, saying.] For the punishment of foul offences serio et sedulo ineumbendnm est, men must do their utmost; and not as Popish councils, which make a show only of reformation. Luther truly and trimly compared them to a company of foxes, which sweeping a foul room with their tails, raise a great dust, but remove none.
Ver. 9. We will go up by lot against it.] They do not shake off the plaintiff, or send him to Gibeah for satisfaction, or defer the further hearing and determining of the cause, as the Areopagites dealt by the dame of Smyrna, whom they appointed to appear some hundred years after; but, We will presently go up, say they, and that by lot, that none may think himself wronged.
Ver. 10. To fetch victual for the people.] For, Animantis cuiusque vita in fuga est, saith the philosopher: Were it not for the repair of nutrition, the natural life would soon be extinguished.
Ver. 11. Knit together as one man.] Heb., Fellows: resolved to live and die together. The strength of an army is in unity: as the strength of a whale consisteth much in the close knitting of his joints together; one member is tied to another; (Job 41:7,8,14) whence also he is called Leviathan, of Lavah, which signifieth to join, to couple, and to stick together.
Ver. 12. And the tribes of Israel sent men.] They would treat before they would fight, and hear both parties ere they would determine for either, though it were a clear case, according to the old rule— “ Μητε δικην δικασης πριν αμφοιν μυθον ακουσης.”
Ver. 13. And put away evil from Irsael.] Both the evil of sin and the evil of punishment: for these two are inseparable companions Flagitium et flagellum sunt sicut acus et filum. Would not hearken to the voice of their brethren.] God had a holy hand in it for the just punishment of both parties.
Ver. 14. But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves, &c.] In the defence of those sons of Belial, and out of self-confidence, they venture their lives and fortunes upon a very great disadvantage. What should not we then do for the dear servants of God, and in assurance of his assistance? Queen Elizabeth was famous for this; when she undertook the protection of the Netherlanders against the Spaniard, all princes admired her fortitude: and the king of Sweden said that she had now taken the crown from her head and set it upon the doubtful chance of war, A.D. 1585. Camden’s Elisab.
Ver. 15. Twenty and six thousand men that drew sword.] But were all shortly after devoured by the sword, the whole land becoming like a general slaughter house, or a place of infernal torture. Had they not been so numerous, they had not, likely, been so venturous. “The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee.” (Obadiah 1:3)