Verses 29-36a give an overview of the battle, and 36b-48 provide a more detailed explanation.
Israel's strategy was similar to what God had specified against Ai (Josh. 8:1-29) and what Abimelech used against Shechem (9:33-44).
The location of Baal-tamar is unknown (v. 33), but Marreh-geba was evidently Geba, which stood a few miles northeast of Gibeah. Rimmon ("Pomegranate,"v. 45) was farther to the north and east of Bethel. The site of Gidom is still unknown.
The writer carefully recorded that it was the Lord who struck Benjamin (v. 35).
"The word for whole' (kalil, v. 40) is often used of whole burnt offerings' (Deut 33:10) and is in fact used of burning a town whose people have become involved in idolatry (Deut 13:16). The entire town [of Gibeah] literally became a burnt offering!"366
The Israelites did to the Benjamites as they had done to the Canaanites who were under the ban (v. 48). This was excessively severe treatment contrary to God's will (Lev. 19:18).
This chapter illustrates the far-reaching consequences of a single sexual sin (19:1). It also reveals the inverted values of people who did not acknowledge God as their king. Unwarranted protection of a neighbor replaced love for God in the warring factions of the nation. Excessive loyalty to brothers replaced loyalty to God. Vengeance and overkill replaced adherence to God's gracious will. Furthermore we see here that God's guidance may involve discipline for the independent as well as punishment for the rebellious. However, we should not conclude that one person's problems always have their roots in his or her personal sins (cf. Job; John 9:2-3).
