Judges 20:18

16 Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing.

17 The Israelites, apart from Benjamin, mobilized 400,000 swordsmen, each one an experienced warrior.

The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.

19 The next morning the Israelites set out and camped near Gibeah.

20 And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin and took up their battle positions at Gibeah.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.
KJV
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
WEB
The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and asked counsel of God. They asked, “Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin?” The LORD said, “Judah first.”
ASV
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah [shall go up] first.
DARBY
And the children of Israel arose and went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah first.
BLB
And they arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, and the sons of Israel said, “Who shall go up of us first into battle against the sons of Benjamin?” And YHWH said, “Judah first.”
ÅB
De gjorde seg ferdige og dro opp til Betel og spurte Gud. Israels barn sa: Hvem av oss skal først dra opp og stride mot Benjamins barn? Og Herren sa: Juda skal først.
OTB
Israelittene dro opp til Betel og spurte Gud: "Hvem skal gå først i kamp mot benjaminittene?" Herren svarte: "Juda skal gå først."
B1930
De gjorde sig ferdige og drog op til Betel og spurte Gud. Israels barn sa: Hvem av oss skal først dra op og stride mot Benjamins barn? Og Herren sa: Juda skal først.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Judges 20:26–27

    Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 27:21

    He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”

    Read in context
  • Judges 20:23

    They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”

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  • Genesis 49:8–10

    Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 27:5

    So Moses brought their case before the LORD,

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  • Joel 1:14

    Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Judges 19:18

    The Levite replied, “We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the LORD; but no one has taken me into his home,

    Read in context
  • Judges 20:7

    Behold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.”

    Read in context