Judges 20:36

20:36 Then the Benjaminites saw they were defeated.

The Israelites retreated before ¹  Benjamin, because they had confidence in the men they had hid in ambush outside Gibeah.

Judges 20:42

20:42 They retreated before the Israelites, taking the road to the wilderness. But the battle overtook ²  them as men from the surrounding cities struck them down. ³ 

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¹ tn Heb “gave place to.”

² tn Heb “clung to”; or “stuck close.”

³ tn Heb “and those from the cities were striking them down in their midst.”