Judges 21:23

In this verse, we witness how *“The sons of Benjamin did so, and took wives according to their number from those who danced, whom they carried away”* (v.23). This action occurs after the other tribes of Israel nearly annihilated Benjamin in a costly civil conflict (Judges 20). The Benjaminites then needed wives to secure their tribe’s survival. Their solution involved taking women from a community that participated in a festival dance; these women, without pledged loyalties to any tribe, offered a last resort to rebuild Benjamin. This arrangement reveals the desperation of the situation—an entire tribe on the brink of extinction—and underscores the importance Israel placed on preserving each of the twelve tribes. Even as the nation struggled with chaos, God’s people still grasped for unity in keeping Benjamin alive, emphasizing the reverence for the covenant among the tribes.

The verse continues with *“And they went and returned to their inheritance and rebuilt the cities and lived in them”* (v.23). The tribe of Benjamin inhabited a region roughly situated in the southern portion of the central highlands of ancient Israel, a territory that included key cities like Gibeah and Mizpah near Jerusalem (a city eventually prominent in King David’s reign around 1000 BC). Their inheritance remained important because each tribe had received specific land portions since the days of Joshua. By rebuilding these cities, the Benjaminites restored both their physical dwellings and their identity as an integral part of the covenant community. The timeframe of these events lands within the era of the Judges, around 1100–1050 BC, prior to the establishment of Israel’s united monarchy.

From a broader biblical perspective, the preservation of Benjamin’s lineage is significant because it links to genealogical lines leading to King Saul (1 Samuel 9:1–2, NASB-95). In the New Testament, God’s continued provision for His people reflects His commitment to His promises, ultimately culminating in Jesus the Messiah (Galatians 4:4–5, NASB-95). Even amid civil turmoil, God’s plan remained on track, pointing forward to redemption. This episode in Judges reminds believers that God works through imperfect circumstances to bring about His purposes, ensuring that the covenant family maintains each segment of the divine promise.

Benjamin is spared, and the community is renewed.