Judges 21: 9-15

Apparently not everyone or group had felt that the crimes that the rest of the tribes felt were heinous was enough to get involved. They took a poll of the attendees and the supporters and found that among them one didn't show up to the dance. Per the commentary: The Israelites thought again about their actions. They had fought a holy war. But they had made some promises that were too strong. They had promised that their daughters would not marry the men from Benjamin’s tribe. So they had not allowed them to marry them. They were sorry about that. Because it meant that the tribe would not continue. They built an altar. This was probably at Mizpah, because there was already one at Bethel. They could not change their promise. Then they remembered something. If a tribe sent nobody to the meeting, people would declare a curse on that tribe. As a result, the tribe would suffer destruction. Nobody had come from Jabesh-Gilead. (The people in Jabesh-Gilead were relatives of Manasseh, Rachel’s grandson. And so, they were also relatives of Benjamin. Later there was a close connection between Jabesh-Gilead and Benjamin’s tribe.)

This was the backdrop of the events that would follow. They felt that non- attendance was as serious a matter that could and would lead to the destruction of the tribe. They found 400 virgin girls and there were 600 Benjamite men to "restart" their name. Despite their actions, the nation didn't want to see one of the 12 be eliminated. They met at Shiloh which meant that this was early in the nation's history since the writer had to explain where it was.

A day closer to finishing up before I head north. Today will feel surreal and I will be off tomorrow and then in Princeton on Friday and Monday. Hopefully, all the pre-stuff will be over soon... Going to take up with me some books and DVDs to keep me occupied. Just finish RA Dickey's book which was a great and quick read. I rarely finish a 300+ page book in a week or so but this one was such a blessed and good read that I found myself even appreciating the man and our God even more - a must read!

Praise for today: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice, Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105: 3-4