The children of Benjamin said, They are struck down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways.
This chapter illustrates the far-reaching consequences of a single sexual sin (Judges 19:1). It also reveals the inverted values of people who did not acknowledge God as their king. Unwarranted protection of a neighbor replaced love for God in the warring factions of the nation. Excessive loyalty to brothers replaced loyalty to God. Vengeance and overkill replaced adherence to God’s gracious will. Furthermore we see here that God’s guidance may involve discipline for the independent as well as punishment for the rebellious. However, we should not conclude that one person’s problems always have their roots in his or her personal sins (cf. Job; John 9:2-3).