ISRAEL’S CIVIL WAR

Mar. 6th Sabbath Israel’s Civil War Page 10 of 14
Overconfident from their previous victories, the Benjamites rushed out as
before. The Israelites pretended to run away, like Joshua and his men had
done years earlier at the city of Ai, drawing their attackers away from
Gibeah. About thirty Israelites were slain. Their quick deaths caused the
warriors of Benjamin to gleefully boast, “We’re defeating them just like
we did before!”
The fleeing Israelites headed for Baal-Tamar, where they regrouped.
Meanwhile, 10,000 of Israel’s best soldiers, who were hiding west of
Gibeah, arose and made a surprise attack on the town gates. They rushed
in and captured Gibeah, killing everyone within. Then they set the town
on fire, using the smoke as a signal for the fleeing Israelite troops to turn
around and attack the Benjamite soldiers.
In the chaos of heavy fighting, the Benjamite warriors saw clouds of
smoke rising coming from Gibeah and realized that the town, their only
safe haven, was ablaze. Then the soldiers they had been pursuing suddenly
began to attack! Frightened out of their minds, the Benjamites
panicked, for they knew that they had no place to run to.
Cut off from Gibeah’s protection, they ran for the countryside. But the
Israelites chased them down and overtook them. Many tried to escape,
but the Israelites stayed right behind them, keeping up the attack. And
they were even joined by men from nearby towns, who helped kill
Benjamin’s fleeing troops.
About 25,000 Benjamites were killed that day.
In the horrible aftermath of Israel’s civil war, about 26,100 Benjamite
warriors had been slain. Yet, 600 soldiers did manage to escape into the
wilderness. As they raced to find a safe place to regroup, they thought