Although the Benjamites were vastly outnumbered (26,700 from Benjamin against 400,000 soldiers from the remaining tribes), the Benjamites were confident in victory. But Israel inquired of the Lord and asked him who should go up and fight first. Judah was the first to go. The first day, the Israelites saw heavy casualties. They wept before the Lord. He told them to go up a second day. Again, the Benjamites defeated them. And again, the Israelites wept and fasted and again inquired of the Lord. The Lord told them to go up against them again, for he would give them into their hand. Though the Israelites sought God’s direction, the Lord needed to humble them through defeat.

The third time, the Israelites sought God humbly. The Lord promised them victory. The Israelites were able to deceive the Benjamites and won the victory. They slaughtered the whole of Benjamin’s army, with the exception of 600 fighting men, who fled the battle. The Israelites turned on the other towns of Benjamin and put them to the sword, even killing the animals. In their vengeance, Israel became worse than the men of Gibeah. All of Israel needed a shepherd-king.
Application: Father, without you as King, sin reigns. We need shepherds to lead us to you. Lord Jesus, come and be our King!
One Word: We need the Lord as our King