98 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

Grandfather. Nor did the Israelites. They had
suffered the gross idolatry of Micah, and of the Danites,
to pass unpunished, though the Lord had commanded
them to put idolaters to death. By permitting these
defeats to come upon them, the Lord graciously designed
to bring them to consider their ways, and to put away
evil from among them. Benjamin was used as an
instrument to humble his brothers. When they were
hum bled, then he was to meet with the punishment his
sins deserved. After their second defeat, the children of
Israel went up to the house of the Lord, and wept, and
fasted until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace
offerings there. Again they asked of the Lord if they
should go up to battle against their brethren any more.
Again the reply of the Lord was, “Go up,” and the
promise was added, “To-morrow I will deliver them
into thine hand.” Encouraged by this promise, they
vigorously exerted themselves to win success. They
followed the plan that had been put in execution so
successfully against Ai. Men in ambush were placed
round about Gibeah, while the body of the army ad-
vanced against the city, engaged the Benjamites in
battle, and fled before them. The men of Benjamin,
emboldened by their former success, rushed eagerly on,
thinking that the day was their own. The Israelites
who were in ambush entered the city and set it on fire.
The Benjamites turned, saw the smoke and the flames
ascending, and knew that they were conquered. Their
confidence forsook them, and they fled to the wilderness.