But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
The verse belongs to chapters 17-21, one of the book's two additional accounts, recording events from the early part of the period of the judges. Its immediate context is the crime of the people of Gibeah, with which the whole tribe of Benjamin identified itself, culminating in battle over the murder of the Levite's concubine. These last chapters of Judges show the low state into which Israel had fallen before the call of Samuel the prophet.
In this account Israel was twice defeated with shame before gaining its eventual victory over Benjamin. Six hundred Benjaminites escaped to the wilderness and stayed at the rock of Rimmon for four months. The remaining Benjaminites were then killed and their towns burned.
Benjamin thus became the least tribe in Israel and was nearly exterminated. God in wisdom chose the king from this weak tribe to remove all grounds of jealousy among the other tribes. Benjamin was later blessed when united with Judah.
The temporary setback of defeat did not prevent the cause from ultimately triumphing. Set against the miracles and teaching of Jesus in Luke, this history presents a mighty contrast to that low condition, yet both speak of the goodness and mercy of God.
The verse belongs to chapters 17-21, one of the book's two additional accounts, recording events from the early part of the period of the judges. Its immediate context is the crime of the people of Gibeah, with which the whole tribe of Benjamin identified itself, culminating in battle over the murder of the Levite's concubine. These last chapters of Judges show the low state into which Israel had fallen before the call of Samuel the prophet.
In this account Israel was twice defeated with shame before gaining its eventual victory over Benjamin. Six hundred Benjaminites escaped to the wilderness and stayed at the rock of Rimmon for four months. The remaining Benjaminites were then killed and their towns burned.
Benjamin thus became the least tribe in Israel and was nearly exterminated. God in wisdom chose the king from this weak tribe to remove all grounds of jealousy among the other tribes. Benjamin was later blessed when united with Judah.
The temporary setback of defeat did not prevent the cause from ultimately triumphing. Set against the miracles and teaching of Jesus in Luke, this history presents a mighty contrast to that low condition, yet both speak of the goodness and mercy of God.