Free group study handout
Judges 21: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Judges 21 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
The men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah not to give their daughters to Benjamin as wives (vv. 1-2). They gathered at Bethel, weeping and seeking God’s guidance about the tribe of Benjamin’s plight (vv.
Key verse
“The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, “There is one tribe cut off from Israel today.”
Judges 21:6 (WEB)
Outline
- Judges 21:1–2 The Oath Against Benjamin
- Judges 21:3–5 Seeking God’s Guidance
- Judges 21:6–8 Grief for Benjamin
- Judges 21:9–14 The Destruction of Jabesh-Gilead
- Judges 21:15–18 Finding Wives for Benjamin
- Judges 21:19–22 The Plan at Shiloh
- Judges 21:23–25 The Completion of the Plan
Discussion questions
- In v2, why do the people of Israel weep severely before God?
- What do the Israelites do in v10 before striking Jabesh Gilead?
- The oath in v18: how does it conflict with the need for wives for Benjamin?
- In v21, what does the phrase 'each man catch his wife' indicate about their plan?
- When have you felt compelled to break a vow, as in v18?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Judges 21: Judges 20, Deuteronomy 12, Judges 17.
Before next time: read Ruth 1.