O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.
O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah - (Hosea 9:9, notes; Judges 19:1-30; Judges 20:1-48.) The days of Gibeah O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah - (Hosea 9:9, notes; Judges 19:1-30; Judges 20:1-48.) The days of Gibeah are singled out as a specimen of the whole nation.
There they stood - i:e., the Israelites have, as there and then, so ever since, persisted in their sin (Calvin). Or, better, 'they stood their ground' - i:e., did not perish then (Maurer). Then the Israelites were vindicators of justice against Benjamin: and though punished for their own sins, for a time, by the two grievous defeats they suffered at first from Benjamin, yet at last they were enabled by God to stand their ground and conquer the aggressor: but now they are not on the side of God, but against God.
The battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them - though God spared you then, He will not do so now; nay, the battle whereby God punished the Gibeonite "children of iniquity" shall the more heavily visit you for your continued impenitence. Though "they stood" then, it, shall not be so now. The change from "thou" to "they" marks God's alienation from them; they are, by the use of the third person, put to a greater distance from God.