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O Livro

Os israelitas lutam contra os benjamitas

1 Assim, toda a nação de Israel, de toda a parte, de Dan até Berseba, e mesmo do outro lado do Jordão, da terra de Gileade, juntaram-se numa só vontade perante o SENHOR em Mizpá. 2 Os chefes de todo o povo compareceram na assembleia do povo de Deus, uma tropa de 400 000 homens armados de espadas. 3 A notícia daquela mobilização em Mizpá depressa chegou aos ouvidos do povo de Benjamim. Entretanto, os líderes de Israel mandaram chamar o marido da mulher assassinada e quiseram saber como tinha acontecido. 4 “Chegámos de viagem a Gibeá, na terra de Benjamim, para ali passar a noite”, começou ele. 5 “Nessa mesma noite, uns homens de Gibeá chegaram-se à casa onde estávamos e quiseram matar-me; violaram a minha mulher, que acabou por morrer. 6 Por isso, separei o corpo em doze pedaços que mandei por todo o Israel, pois essa gente cometeu um crime terrível. 7 Agora, filhos de Israel, digam o que pensam; deem-me um conselho!” 8 Todos unanimemente responderam: “Nem um só de nós regressará a casa, 9-10 antes de termos castigado a povoação de Gibeá. Um décimo do exército será escolhido, tirando à sorte, para nos fornecer mantimentos, e o resto irá destruir Gibeá, vingando esta horrível ação.” 11 A nação inteira se uniu nesta tarefa. 12 Foram enviados mensageiros à tribo de Benjamim, perguntando: “Vocês estão ao corrente do que aconteceu de tão terrível no vosso meio? 13 Entreguem-nos essa gente má, da cidade de Gibeá, para que os executemos e expurguemos este mal de Israel.” No entanto, o povo de Benjamim não quis dar seguimento a esta mensagem. 14-15 Em vez disso, reuniram 26 000 homens armados, que foram juntar-se aos 700 guardas locais de Gibeá, para ajudá-los a defenderem-se do ataque do resto de Israel. 16 Entre estes havia também uns 700 homens canhotos, que eram esplêndidos atiradores com a mão esquerda. Eram capazes de acertar num simples cabelo e nunca erravam. 17 O exército de Israel, sem contar com Benjamim, eram 400 000 homens. 18 Antes da batalha, as tropas de Israel foram primeiro a Betel para pedir conselho a Deus: “Qual a tribo que nos conduzirá contra o povo de Benjamim?” O SENHOR respondeu-lhes: “Judá irá à frente.” 19 O exército todo iniciou a marcha na manhã seguinte e acamparam perto da cidade. 20 Os soldados dispuseram em posição frontal à cidade. 21 O certo é que a tropa que defendia a cidade irrompeu corajosamente e conseguiu matar, só naquele dia, 22 000 israelitas. 22 Então os soldados israelitas encheram-se de coragem e tomaram as mesmas posições no local onde tinham lutado no dia anterior. 23 O exército de Israel lamentou-se perante o SENHOR, até à noite, perguntando: “Será justo continuarmos a lutar contra os nossos irmãos de Benjamim?” O SENHOR respondeu-lhes: “Sim.” 24 Então encetaram um novo ataque contra as tropas de Benjamim. 25 Mais uma vez, nesse dia, perderam 18 000 homens de guerra, todos experientes soldados. 26 Toda a nação foi chorar de novo perante o SENHOR, em Betel, jejuando até ao anoitecer, oferecendo holocaustos e ofertas de paz. 27 Naqueles dias, a arca da aliança de Deus encontrava-se em Betel. 28 Fineias, filho de Eleazar, neto de Aarão, era o sacerdote. Os homens de Israel perguntaram ao SENHOR: “Iremos de novo atacar os nossos irmãos de Benjamim ou suspendemos a luta?” A resposta foi: “Vão, pois amanhã serão vocês a derrotar Benjamim.” 29 Os israelitas puseram emboscadas ao redor da cidade. 30 Atacaram uma terceira vez, formando em ordem de combate como habitualmente. 31 Quando os de Benjamim saíram da cidade para os enfrentar, a tropa de Israel recuou, com a intenção de afastar os benjamitas da cidade e, tal como antes, estes últimos começaram a matar alguns adversários, ao longo do caminho entre Betel e Gibeá; uns 30 homens morreram assim. 32 As tropas de Benjamim já gritavam: “Estamos a derrotá-los novamente!”, mas não percebiam que se tratava de um movimento estratégico, combinado antecipadamente, fazendo com que os benjamitas, ao persegui-los, se afastassem da cidade. 33 Assim, enquanto o grosso do exército israelita batia em retirada e se reagrupava em Baal-Tamar, os homens que cercavam Gibeá saíram dos seus esconderijos, na área rochosa das imediações da cidade. 34 Especialmente escolhidos de todo o Israel, 10 000 atacaram Gibeá e a luta foi feroz. Os de Benjamim, porém, não pressentiram que iam ser esmagados. 35 O SENHOR deu a Israel a vitória sobre o exército benjamita. Naquele dia, os israelitas mataram 25 100 soldados inimigos. 36 Os de Benjamim foram derrotados. Entretanto, a maior parte do exército israelita tinha fugido dos benjamitas, porque contava com os soldados escondidos à volta de Gibeá. 37 Estes correram rapidamente em direção a Gibeá, penetraram na cidade e mataram todos os que lhes apareceram. 38 O exército de Israel e estes soldados escondidos tinham combinado previamente um sinal: quando vissem uma grande nuvem de fumo subindo da cidade, os israelitas no campo de batalha deviam dar meia volta. 39 Entretanto, os benjamitas tinham já matado uns 30 israelitas e diziam entre si: “Derrotámo-los como da primeira vez.” 40 Então surgiu o sinal: uma nuvem de fumo saía da cidade. Quando os benjamitas olharam para trás, ficaram surpreendidos com a cidade em chamas. 41 Os israelitas deram meia volta e os benjamitas entraram em pânico, ao descobrirem que estavam perdidos. 42 Fugindo dos israelitas, correram pelos campos em direção ao deserto, mas não puderam escapar. Foram alcançados entre a coluna principal e os homens que saíam nesse momento da cidade e foram derrotados. 43 Os israelitas tinham-nos apanhado na armadilha e perseguiram-nos sem dó, até ao extremo oriental de Gibeá, matando-os pelo caminho. 44 Perderam a vida 18 000 dos melhores soldados benjamitas. 45 Os restantes procuraram refúgio nos campos até ao rochedo de Rimom. Entre eles foram mortos 5000 e os israelitas não pararam no encalço dos restantes, até Gidom, matando ainda 2000. 46 Desta maneira, a tribo de Benjamim perdeu 25 000 bravos combatentes nesse dia. 47 Ficaram apenas uns 600 que escaparam refugiados no rochedo de Rimom, onde se esconderam durante quatro meses. 48 O exército de Israel regressou e matou toda a população de Benjamim: homens, mulheres, crianças e gado, incendiando todas as cidades e povoações da sua terra.

English Standard Version

de Crossway

Israel’s War with the Tribe of Benjamin

1 Then all the people of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah. (Js 22:12; Jz 21:5; 1 Sm 3:20; 1 Sm 7:5; 1 Sm 10:17; 1 Sm 11:7; 2 Sm 3:10; 2 Sm 24:2)

Js 22:12Jz 21:51 Sm 3:201 Sm 7:51 Sm 10:171 Sm 11:72 Sm 3:102 Sm 24:2

2 And the chiefs of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, 400,000 men on foot that drew the sword. (Jz 8:10; Jz 20:15; Jz 20:17; Jz 20:25; Jz 20:35; Jz 20:46; 1 Sm 14:38)

Jz 8:10Jz 20:15Jz 20:17Jz 20:25Jz 20:35Jz 20:461 Sm 14:38

3 (Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the people of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this evil happen?” 4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, “I came to Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. (Jz 19:15) 5 And the leaders of Gibeah rose against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They meant to kill me, and they violated my concubine, and she is dead. (Jz 19:22; Jz 19:25) 6 So I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, for they have committed abomination and outrage in Israel. (Jz 19:23; Jz 19:29) 7 Behold, you people of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here.” (Jz 19:30) 8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, “None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house. 9 But now this is what we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot, 10 and we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to bring provisions for the people, that when they come they may repay Gibeah of Benjamin for all the outrage that they have committed in Israel.” 11 So all the men of Israel gathered against the city, united as one man. 12 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you? (Dt 13:14; Js 22:13; Js 22:16) 13 Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.” But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. (Dt 13:5; Dt 13:13; Dt 17:2; Jz 19:22)

Dt 13:5Dt 13:13Dt 17:2Jz 19:22

14 Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the people of Israel. 15 And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men. (Nm 1:37; Nm 26:41; Jz 20:2) 16 Among all these were 700 chosen men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. (Jz 3:15; 1 Cr 12:2) 17 And the men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered 400,000 men who drew the sword; all these were men of war. (Jz 20:15) 18 The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, “Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up first.” (Jz 1:1; Jz 20:26; Jz 20:31) 19 Then the people of Israel rose in the morning and encamped against Gibeah. 20 And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin, and the men of Israel drew up the battle line against them at Gibeah. 21 The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and destroyed on that day 22,000 men of the Israelites. (Jz 20:25) 22 But the people, the men of Israel, took courage, and again formed the battle line in the same place where they had formed it on the first day. 23 And the people of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until the evening. And they inquired of the Lord, “Shall we again draw near to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?” And the Lord said, “Go up against them.” (Jz 20:26) 24 So the people of Israel came near against the people of Benjamin the second day. 25 And Benjamin went against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed 18,000 men of the people of Israel. All these were men who drew the sword. (Jz 20:2; Jz 20:21) 26 Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. (Jz 20:18; Jz 20:31) 27 And the people of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, (Js 18:1; 1 Sm 4:3) 28 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, ministered before it in those days), saying, “Shall we go out once more to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?” And the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.” (Nm 25:7; Nm 31:6; Dt 10:8; Dt 18:5; Dt 18:7; Js 24:33)

Nm 25:7Nm 31:6Dt 10:8Dt 18:5Dt 18:7Js 24:33

29 So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah. (Js 8:4) 30 And the people of Israel went up against the people of Benjamin on the third day and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times. 31 And the people of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city. And as at other times they began to strike and kill some of the people in the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the open country, about thirty men of Israel. (Jz 20:18; Jz 20:26; Jz 21:19) 32 And the people of Benjamin said, “They are routed before us, as at the first.” But the people of Israel said, “Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.” (Js 8:5) 33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar, and the men of Israel who were in ambush rushed out of their place from Maareh-geba.^[1] 34 And there came against Gibeah 10,000 chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was hard, but the Benjaminites did not know that disaster was close upon them. (Jz 20:41) 35 And the Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day. All these were men who drew the sword. (Jz 20:2) 36 So the people of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. The men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin, because they trusted the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah. 37 Then the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush moved out and struck all the city with the edge of the sword. (Js 8:19) 38 Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city 39 the men of Israel should turn in battle. Now Benjamin had begun to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel. They said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” (Jz 20:31) 40 But when the signal began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. (Js 8:20) 41 Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them. (Jz 20:34) 42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel in the direction of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. And those who came out of the cities were destroying them in their midst. (Js 8:15; Js 8:24) 43 Surrounding the Benjaminites, they pursued them and trod them down from Nohah^[2] as far as opposite Gibeah on the east. 44 Eighteen thousand men of Benjamin fell, all of them men of valor. 45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. Five thousand men of them were cut down in the highways. And they were pursued hard to Gidom, and 2,000 men of them were struck down. (Js 15:32; Jz 20:42; Jz 21:13) 46 So all who fell that day of Benjamin were 25,000 men who drew the sword, all of them men of valor. 47 But 600 men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon and remained at the rock of Rimmon four months. (Jz 20:42; Jz 20:45) 48 And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire.