Chapter 20. The Response.
In this chapter the Levite's appeal to the tribal confederacy of Israel is answered. The case is heard and the children of Benjamin are commanded to deliver the wrongdoers for punishment in accordance with the law and the covenant. Their refusal to do so is a breach of covenant which the others see as bringing God's wrath on themselves unless they do something about it. Thus they seek to put pressure on them to do so.
When this also is rejected they go in to do it themselves. In order, in their view, to avoid the wrath of God, the tribal confederacy seek to enforce their decree. This results in a tribal war which is evidence of a serious breach of covenant on behalf of ‘Benjamin', and eventually, after two setbacks, they defeat the children of Benjamin with God's backing, and exact the vengeance which tradition required, the near extermination of Benjamin.
‘ Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, along with the land of Gilead, to Yahweh at Mizpah.'
After messengers had been sent between the tribes the whole of Israel gathered at Mizpah. This may have resulted from a call from the central sanctuary at Bethel, or possibly on the initiative of the leaders of the tribe of Ephraim where the Levite lived.
“All.” This probably means that all the tribes were represented, apart from Benjamin, rather than that literally all the people came. This view is confirmed in Judges 20:3.
“From Dan to Beersheba”, a rough description of the land possessed west of Jordan, a description regularly used in the Old Testament. Dan was the furthest north of the towns of Israel, and Beersheba the furthest south. ‘Along with the land of Gilead'. Those east of Jordan were also included in the call up, ‘Gilead' being used in its widest sense as representing the whole. All Israel were involved. The Levite had achieved his purpose. He had shocked them into action and united the tribes.
“The congregation.” A technical term for the people of God seen as one before God, regularly found in the Pentateuch.
“As one man.” The tribal confederation were gathered in unity, which was not always true of them, and all were agreed that the matter should be dealt with.
“To Yahweh.” This was a recognition that they had gathered to see to the implementing of the covenant of Yahweh, which He had made with them and to which He demanded obedience as their Overlord. It was seen as matter for the whole confederation. They were gathered before God.
“At Mizpah.” Meaning ‘a place of watching'. It was a town of Benjamin, eleven kilometres (seven miles) north of Jerusalem, to the left of the main road, and in the neighbourhood of Gibeah and Ramah (1 Kings 15:22). It would be a regular gathering place for Israel under Samuel (1Sa 7:5; 1 Samuel 7:16; 1 Samuel 10:17), presumably because of its suitability. It was one of the three places where he sat to judge the people (1 Samuel 7:16).