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23. Went up. It seems that the allied tribes sent another delegation to ask directions from the Lord.

Wept. Israel’s defeat led the people to humble themselves before the Lord and to recognize more fully their dependence upon Him. Perhaps they needed to learn the lesson that “he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone” (John 8:7). Many of those who were so highly incensed at the crime of the men of Gibeah were probably guilty of similar offenses. For example, at Sinai and Baal-peor, all Israel had fallen into abominable forms of idolatry.

My brother. The Israelites felt uneasy, realizing that they were engaged in a fratricidal war. Their angry feeling began to soften toward the men of Benjamin. However, the Lord instructed them to continue the attack. The people of Benjamin also needed to be humbled and brought to a recognition of their guilt.