Reading for January 14th

 Read Judges 20.1-17. In 20.1-17: Israel assembles to attack Benjamin. In verse 1: From Danto Beer-sheba designates the north and south limits of Israel. In verse 3: because Gibeah is Benjaminite (19.16), the Ephraimite Levite's personal quarrel escalates into intertribal conflict. In verse 5: The Levite's version omits important details in order to magnify the threat to himself and conceal his own culpability. In verse 6: Vile outrage signifies an intentional affront to Israel's core values. In verse 9: By lot refers to the way the ten percent of the next verse are to be chosen. In verses 15-17: Although Israel has an overwhelming numerical advantage, Benjamin's contingent of crack marksmen (v. 16) suggests that things will not be so simple. Comments or Questions..