Judges 20:41
ESV
Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them.
NIV
Then the Israelites counterattacked, and the Benjamites were terrified, because they realized that disaster had come on them.
NASB
Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified; for they saw that disaster was close to them.
CSB
Then the men of Israel returned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had struck them.
NLT
the men of Israel turned and attacked. At this point the men of Benjamin became terrified, because they realized disaster was close at hand.
KJV
And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.
NKJV
And when the men of Israel turned back, the men of Benjamin panicked, for they saw that disaster had come upon them.
What does Judges 20:41 mean?
The Israelite army had been retreating to lure fighters of the tribe of Benjamin to leave Gibeah (Judges 20:29–31). Meanwhile, their allies have conquered and burnt the city (Judges 20:37). At virtually the same moment, both sides see the smoke rising from Gibeah. This is the signal Israel's forces have been waiting for, so they stop retreating. They turn back to face the army of Benjamin head on, now without the natural defenses which had given the Benjaminites such protection during the first two battles.Benjamin's soldiers are shocked, quickly realizing what the rising smoke means (Judges 20:40). They are caught between Israel's army in front of them, and a ruined city behind them. Confidence that the battle was all but won instantly drains away, and Benjamin's soldiers know the battle is completely lost. They cannot win, so they attempt to run.
