Judges 20:32

*“The sons of Benjamin said, ‘They are struck down before us, as previously.’ But the sons of Israel said, ‘Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways.’”* (v.32) The Benjamites, descendants of Benjamin (the youngest son of Jacob, who lived around the 18th century BC), feel confident here in the aftermath of earlier victories. They exclaim that their enemies have *“been struck down before us, as previously,”* recalling previous skirmishes where they had the upper hand (v.32). Their home territory, near the city of Gibeah, is located in the central highlands of the land allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. In this verse, the Benjamites perceive their success as continuing, unaware that a stratagem is unfolding against them.

When Israel responds, *“Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways,”* it reveals their tactical ploy (v.32). By feigning a retreat, the Israelites hope to lure the Benjamites into open ground. Ancient armies frequently used the laid-out roads, known here as “highways,” as major routes for travel and military engagements. This maneuver is reminiscent of other biblical strategies, such as Joshua’s ambush at Ai (Joshua 8:3–7 NASB-95), where a false retreat was used to gain the upper hand.

This event takes place during the era of the Judges, a period in Israel’s history dated roughly between 1370 and 1050 BC. The people had no central monarchy, and local leaders, called judges, rose to deliver them from various crises (Judges 2:16 NASB-95). The conflict arises from deep internal disputes, culminating in a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes. As with other episodes of discord, it sets the stage for the eventual yearning for a centralized kingship, which comes with Saul—himself a Benjamite—later in history (1 Samuel 9:1–2 NASB-95).

The Benjamites’ perceived advantage leads them into a trap that foreshadows their defeat.