That they were smitten. — The “they” refers to the Israelites. The rest of the verse gives the reason for the feigned flight.
Related Commentaries of Judges 20:36
Judges 20:36
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.