Judges 20:12-48; 21

 Scripture – Judges 20:12-48; 21

Observation – 

• Judges 20:12-48 - Battle against Benjamin and Gibeah
• Judges 20:12-17 - Benjamin's help is sought but not given
• Judges 20:18-21 - Israel is defeated before Benjamin
• Judges 20:22-23 - Israel seeks God after defeat
• Judges 20:24-25 - Israel is defeated again before Benjamin
• Judges 20:26-28 - Israel repents before God
• Judges 20:29-48 - Israel defeats Benjamin
• Judges 21:1-3 - A foolish oath
• Judges 21:1 - A curse is laid on anyone who gives their daughters to Benjamin
• Judges 21:2-3 - Israel realizes that Benjamin is in danger of extinction
• Judges 21:4-25 - The solution to the problem
• Judges 21:4-15 - Destroying the city of Jabesh Gilead and taking their young women.
• Judges 21:16-24 - A scheme to give the remaining men of Benjamin an opportunity to take wives.
• Judges 21:25 - An observation in the time of Israel.

Application – Repent rather than act foolishly and rashly.

Prayer – Dear God. Sometimes I act foolishly and without thinking, I take things out on others just like Israel did. Help me to not act like them. Help me to repent of my sins. Amen.

Sins to avoid – Acting foolishly without inquiring of the Lord. Not repenting.

Promises to claim – 

Examples to follow – Don't be like Israel in acting rashly.

Commands to obey – 

Summarize and apply – Another example of Israel doing whatever they saw fit.