שופטים, פרק כ׳, פסוק ל״ו

The narrative pauses its forward momentum to offer a detailed look back at the tactical maneuvers that led to the defeat of the tribe of Benjamin. At the heart of this strategy was a calculated, deliberate retreat. The primary approach among commentators is that the Israelites executed a purposeful deception. By feigning a panicked flight, the Israelite fighters created an illusion of victory for the men of Benjamin. This false sense of success was designed to draw them out, encouraging them to pursue the fleeing army and effectively cutting them off from the safety of their city. Offering a different perspective, [רש"י] explains that the Israelites intentionally opened up space in the battlefield to channel the Benjaminites' movement toward the hill, fully aware that a hidden ambush force was waiting to confront them there.

The sequence of events involved an even deeper layer of military strategy, as noted by [מלבי"ם]. In his view, the men of Benjamin actually realized they were losing the moment the hidden force emerged, prompting them to try and fall back to their city. To prevent this escape, the main Israelite camp staged a second fake retreat. This renewed deception successfully lured the Benjaminites back into the pursuit, keeping them distracted and far away from their stronghold.

This entire maneuver depended heavily on precise, prearranged coordination. The main Israelite army placed complete trust in the ambush unit concealed near the city. While some commentators suggest the ambush force's sole responsibility was to slip into the undefended city and capture it, [מלבי"ם] highlights a more complex, combined operation. The hidden unit was tasked with striking the city and setting it ablaze. The resulting column of smoke served as an agreed-upon signal. Once the main Israelite army saw the smoke, they knew it was time to turn around and trap the forces of Benjamin from all sides.