Verse 33
‘And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar.’
These men who ‘rose up out of their place’ were probably a large force lying in ambush. As the fleeing Israelites came towards them, followed by the exultant Benjaminites, they rose up and drew up in battle formation at Baaltamar, a place on the route. (Tamar means ‘palm tree’). Possibly it was a grove of palm trees where Baal worship had been prominent.
‘And the liers in wait of Israel broke out from their place, even from Maareh-geba (‘the meadow of Gibeah’ - see Judges 20:10 for Gibeah as Geba).’
Totally unknown to the Benjaminites a hidden force began to advance on Gibeah from the rear. The writer is building up the picture of the battle as it progressed.
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