👉 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these [were] men of valour.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 20:44. It’s a really powerful and dramatic statement about the consequences of a terrible act. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: The Setup: The story begins with King Saul being tricked by a serpent (a metaphor for evil) who tells him to kill his own son, turning him into a servant. This is a huge betrayal and sets the stage for disaster. The Attack: A large group of soldiers, led by Benjamin, attack Saul’s palace. They are incredibly violent and relentless. The Result: The attackers systematically kill almost all of the men in the palace – including the king himself. What the Verse Means (in simpler terms): “And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these [were] men of valour.” “There fell…” This means a massive loss occurred. It wasn’t just a few people lost; it was an overwhelming number. “…of Benjamin…” Benjamin is the name of one of Saul's most trusted and loyal soldiers. He was crucial to the attack. “…eighteen thousand men…” This is the shocking part. It’s a huge number – almost all the men in the palace were killed! This isn’t just a few casualties; it was a devastating loss of life. “…all these [were] men of valour.” This is key. “Valor” means bravery, courage, and willingness to fight for what's right. The verse says every single one of these men were brave warriors. Overall Interpretation: The verse highlights the devastating consequences of betrayal and violence. It’s a stark reminder that even those who are supposed to be loyal and trustworthy can fall prey to evil and become victims. It emphasizes the importance of vigilance against deceit and the dangers of unchecked power. In short, it's a powerful statement about the immense loss of life caused by betrayal and the bravery of those who resisted. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that I can answer for you? For example, are you curious about: The historical context of the story? What does "valor" mean in this context? How does this verse relate to other stories in the Bible?
