Every woman that hath lien by man— This exception for the preservation of virgins was received in all nations, and was in time the source of the many prerogatives wherewith virgins were honoured; those which they received among the Romans were extraordinary. See Martin's Explication des Textes, p. 130.
REFLECTIONS.—Their zeal for the destruction of Benjamin was scarcely so great as is their anguish now that their warmth has subsided. What increases their grief is, that, at Mizpeh, they bound themselves by a solemn oath, not only to destroy every city that should neglect their summons, but also never to give their daughters in marriage to a Benjamite; so that, having slain all the women, and being by their oath disabled from giving them others, while it was forbidden them to marry with the nations around them, though the six hundred men have escaped, the tribe is in danger of being extinct: Note; (1.) Even true zeal may be carried too far. (2.) When our spirits are exasperated, we too often speak and do what, in cooler moments, we wish unsaid and undone. On this mournful occasion,
1. They wept before God in bitterness of soul. More affected with Benjamin's destruction, than pleased with their own victory, they spread their complaints before the sanctuary, and offer up their sacrifices in such abundance, that they built a temporary altar for that service. Note; (1.) Our distresses should drive us to God. (2.) Under all our griefs, the blood of atonement will afford us relief. (3.) They, who pour out their complaints to the God of all grace, will usually find a way to extricate themselves from their difficulties.
2. The method which they took to prevent the ruin of the tribe. On reviewing the troops, the men of Jabesh-gilead were found absent. As bound by their oath, they immediately detach twelve thousand of their most valiant troops to smite men, women, and children, except such as had not known man; these are to be reserved for their distressed brethren. Having performed this service in the utter ruin of Jabesh-gilead, they returned with four hundred young virgins to the camp in Shiloh. Messengers are now dispatched to the men who remained in the rock Rimmon; they, glad to embrace the offer of peace, come down to their brethren, and thankfully receive the wives provided for them, though there yet remained a great deficiency. Note; (1.) The quarrels of brethren are usually bitter, and seldom end thus in bands of firmer friendship. (2.) They who make rash vows have only themselves to blame for the difficulties in which they may afterwards be involved.