Judges 20:23

KJV

(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)

KJV (with Strong's)

(And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} went up {H5927} and wept {H1058} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} until even {H6153}, and asked {H7592} counsel of the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559}, Shall I go up {H5066} again {H3254} to battle {H4421} against the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} my brother {H251}? And the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, Go up {H5927} against him.)

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the army of Isra'el went up and cried before ADONAI until evening. They asked ADONAI, "Should we attack our kinsmen the people of Binyamin again? ADONAI answered, "Attack them."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel went up and wept before Jehovah until even; and they asked of Jehovah, saying, Shall I again draw nigh to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And Jehovah said, Go up against him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:23 encapsulates a moment of profound national crisis and spiritual resilience for the children of Israel, caught in a devastating civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. Despite enduring two successive and catastrophic defeats that resulted in immense casualties, the Israelite confederacy, humbled and grief-stricken, returns to the tabernacle at Shiloh. There, they engage in deep lamentation and persistently seek divine counsel regarding the continuation of their military campaign. The LORD's unwavering command to "Go up against him" reveals His sovereign purpose, indicating a divine testing of Israel's faith, humility, and resolve amidst the tragic consequences of unaddressed sin within the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial pivot within the harrowing narrative of civil war detailed in [Judges 19-21](/judges/19 "Judges 19-21 - The Levite, His Concubine, and the Civil War"). The preceding chapter, [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine"), sets the stage with the horrific crime committed by the men of Gibeah against a Levite's concubine, leading to her brutal death. The Levite's shocking act of dismembering her body and distributing it throughout Israel served as a visceral indictment of the nation's moral decay, galvanizing the other tribes to assemble at Mizpah. Their demand for justice—the surrender of the perpetrators from Gibeah—was met with Benjamin's defiant refusal, escalating the crisis into full-scale war. [Judges 20:18](/judges/20-18 "Judges 20:18 - Israel's First Inquiry") records Israel's initial inquiry to the LORD, receiving permission to attack. However, despite this divine sanction, the Israelite confederacy suffered two consecutive and devastating defeats, losing 22,000 men on the first day and 18,000 on the second ([Judges 20:20-21](/judges/20-20-21 "Judges 20:20-21 - First and Second Defeats") and [Judges 20:22](/judges/20-22 "Judges 20:22 - Second Defeat")). Judges 20:23 thus marks a critical turning point where, humbled by their staggering losses, they intensify their supplication before God, demonstrating a desperate and persistent need for His continued direction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The era of the Judges (approximately 1400-1050 BC) was characterized by a recurring cycle of apostasy, divine judgment, repentance, and deliverance, famously summarized by the refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")). This period was marked by a lack of centralized leadership, with the tribes operating largely independently, united primarily by their covenant with Yahweh. The tabernacle, containing the Ark of the Covenant, was situated at Shiloh during this time ([Judges 18:31](/judges/18-31 "Judges 18:31 - Danites Set Up Idols") and [Judges 20:26](/judges/20-26 "Judges 20:26 - Israel Weeps Before the Lord")), serving as the central location for national worship and seeking divine counsel, often facilitated by the high priest through the Urim and Thummim. The civil war against Benjamin was not merely a military conflict but a profound spiritual crisis, tearing at the very fabric of the Israelite tribal confederacy. The act of "weeping before the LORD until even" was a recognized and significant form of national lamentation and repentance in ancient Israel, signifying deep sorrow, humility, and a desperate appeal for divine intervention, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures for seeking divine favor in times of crisis.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 20:23 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Perseverance in Seeking God's Will**, demonstrating Israel's persistent, albeit painful, commitment to consulting the LORD even after catastrophic setbacks. Their repeated inquiry, "Shall I go up again to battle...?" underscores a deep-seated belief in God's ultimate authority and a desire to act according to His will, even when His initial commands seemed to lead to hardship, echoing the wisdom found in [Proverbs 3:6](/proverbs/3-6 "Proverbs 3:6 - Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways"). Secondly, the verse illuminates **Divine Sovereignty and Testing**. The LORD's consistent answer, "Go up against him," despite Israel's losses, suggests a divine purpose behind their suffering. God may have been testing their resolve, humbling them, or allowing the full gravity of the sin within Israel to be felt before granting victory, reminding us that God's ways are higher than human understanding ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours")). Thirdly, the act of "wept before the LORD until even" signifies **Humility and Lamentation**, a crucial step before God finally granted them victory in the third battle ([Judges 20:28](/judges/20-28 "Judges 20:28 - God Gives Victory")). Finally, the poignant addition "my brother" emphasizes the **Tragedy of Civil Strife**, highlighting the devastating consequences when sin is left unaddressed, tearing apart even the closest bonds within a community and demonstrating the profound moral decay of the era.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wept (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to weep" or "to bemoan." This word describes a deep, often audible and prolonged lamentation, signifying profound emotional and spiritual distress. It is not merely shedding tears but an outpouring of grief, sorrow, and desperation, frequently associated with repentance, earnest supplication, or mourning. In this context, it indicates a corporate act of national humility and a desperate plea for divine mercy and intervention after devastating losses.
* **Asked counsel (Hebrew, _shâʼal'_):** A primitive root meaning "to inquire," "to request," or "to demand." When used in relation to God, it implies seeking divine direction, revelation, or an oracle. In the context of Judges, it often refers to consulting the LORD via the high priest, who would use the Urim and Thummim to discern God's will. Israel's repeated "asking counsel" demonstrates their recognition of God's ultimate authority and their dependence on His guidance, even when His previous answers led to unexpected hardship.
* **Brother (Hebrew, _ʼâch'_):** A primitive word meaning "a brother," used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance. Its inclusion in the question, "Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?", profoundly emphasizes the familial bond being severed by this internecine conflict. It highlights the deep pain, moral horror, and unnaturalness of fellow Israelites fighting and killing each other, a stark contrast to the ideal of a united people of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even":** This clause describes Israel's solemn pilgrimage to Shiloh, the site of the tabernacle, following their two crushing defeats. Their "going up" signifies a deliberate and reverent act of seeking God's presence at His designated dwelling place. The phrase "wept before the LORD until even" indicates a prolonged period of intense lamentation, fasting, and fervent prayer. This was a corporate expression of profound grief, humility, and perhaps a renewed sense of repentance, acknowledging their desperate state and utter dependence on God's mercy and guidance. It suggests a critical shift from reliance on their own strength and initial zeal to a deeper spiritual posture of brokenness and supplication.
* **"and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?":** Despite having already received divine permission to fight and having suffered catastrophic losses, Israel persists in seeking specific direction for the *next* engagement. This demonstrates their continued belief in God's ultimate authority and their desperate desire for His explicit approval for the third encounter. The poignant inclusion of "my brother" in their question is a powerful reminder of the familial bond being severed by this conflict, highlighting the deep sorrow, moral dilemma, and profound tragedy inherent in fighting their own kin.
* **"And the LORD said, Go up against him.)":** God's response is concise, unwavering, and echoes His previous commands. This consistent directive, despite Israel's prior defeats, signifies that God's will had not changed regarding the necessity of confronting Benjamin. It suggests that the previous losses were not a sign of His disapproval of the war itself, but perhaps a means of testing, humbling, or refining Israel, or allowing the full weight of the nation's spiritual decay to be felt before granting victory. It underscores divine sovereignty and purpose even in the midst of human suffering, confusion, and seemingly contradictory outcomes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological weight. **Repetition** is evident in the recurring theme of Israel seeking counsel and God's consistent command to "Go up." This repetition emphasizes God's unwavering purpose and Israel's persistent, though painful, obedience, highlighting a divine resolve that transcends immediate human understanding. There is a strong element of **Pathos** conveyed through the phrase "my brother," which evokes deep sorrow and highlights the unnatural and tragic nature of this civil war. This familial designation underscores the profound brokenness and moral decay within the Israelite community. The narrative also contains elements of **Irony**, as Israel, despite their numerical superiority and God's initial command, suffers devastating defeats. This ironic outcome serves to humble the nation and reveal that victory is not guaranteed by divine permission alone, but requires a deeper spiritual posture of humility and dependence. Finally, the act of "weeping before the LORD until even" functions as a profound form of **Lamentation**, a communal expression of grief, repentance, and desperate supplication that is crucial for the narrative's emotional and theological weight, signaling a turning point towards genuine humility and renewed dependence on God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:23 offers profound theological insights into God's sovereignty, the nature of divine testing, and the necessity of humility and perseverance in the life of faith. God's consistent command to "Go up," even after two devastating defeats, reveals that His purposes are not always immediately comprehensible to human understanding. He may permit trials and setbacks, not to abandon His people, but to refine their faith, deepen their dependence, and expose underlying sin or self-reliance. Israel's persistent seeking of counsel, coupled with their profound lamentation, demonstrates a vital spiritual discipline: continuing to lean on God even when His path seems arduous or counterintuitive. This passage reminds us that true victory often follows a season of humbling, sorrow, and unwavering trust in God's ultimate plan, even when the immediate circumstances are dire.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Your Faith Produces Steadfastness")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Remain for a Night")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 20:23 provides timeless lessons for believers navigating life's challenges. It teaches us that God's guidance, even when diligently sought, may not always lead to an easy or immediately successful path. Sometimes, the Lord permits trials and setbacks—even "defeats"—to refine our faith, deepen our humility, or teach us essential lessons about our dependence on Him. This passage powerfully calls us to persevere in prayer and seeking God's will, especially when circumstances are grim and our own understanding fails. True faith continues to lean on God's wisdom and authority even when His commands seem to lead through hardship. Furthermore, Israel's profound lamentation and humility before the LORD underscore the spiritual power of genuine sorrow over sin and a desperate plea for divine intervention. Such brokenness can be the very posture that opens the door for clearer direction, renewed strength, and eventual deliverance. It also serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when sin is left unaddressed within a community, tearing apart even the closest bonds and leading to self-inflicted wounds.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when God's guidance, or your obedience to it, leads to unexpected hardship or apparent defeat?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently called to persevere in seeking God's will, even when the path is difficult or the outcome uncertain?**
* **What role does lamentation, humility, and deep sorrow play in your spiritual journey, particularly in times of distress or when confronting personal or communal sin?**
* **How does the "my brother" aspect of this verse challenge us to address conflict, division, and unrepentant sin within our own families, churches, or communities?**

### FAQ

**Why did God allow Israel to be defeated twice if He told them to go up to battle?**

Answer: God's permission for Israel to "Go up" was not a guarantee of immediate, effortless victory, but a directive within His larger sovereign plan. The two initial defeats served multiple purposes. Firstly, they were a profound act of **humbling** Israel, exposing their self-reliance and perhaps their presumption that God's presence automatically guaranteed success without genuine repentance or spiritual preparedness. Despite their numerical superiority and initial zeal, they had not fully grasped the gravity of the sin in their midst or their own spiritual state. Secondly, these defeats were a form of **testing** their faith and perseverance. Would they abandon God's command after hardship, or would they press into Him more deeply? Their persistent return to Shiloh and their lamentation in [Judges 20:23](/judges/20-23 "Judges 20:23 - Israel Weeps and Asks Counsel") demonstrate that they passed this test of endurance. Thirdly, it allowed the full weight of the **consequences of sin** to be felt by the entire nation, not just Benjamin. The horror of civil war and the immense casualties highlighted the depth of Israel's moral decay. Only after this period of profound lamentation and renewed humility did God promise victory in the third encounter ([Judges 20:28](/judges/20-28 "Judges 20:28 - God Gives Victory")). It was not about God changing His mind, but about refining Israel's heart and preparing them for a victory that would truly glorify Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 20:23, set against the backdrop of a broken nation engaged in fratricidal war, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a divine reconciler and a perfect sacrifice. The lamentation of Israel and their desperate seeking of counsel before the LORD point to humanity's inherent inability to resolve its deepest conflicts and sins without divine intervention. This civil strife, where "brother" fought "brother," tragically illustrates the pervasive nature of sin, which alienates humanity from God and from one another. The repeated failures of Israel, despite God's command, highlight the limitations of human effort and the necessity of a greater, more perfect obedience.

Jesus Christ is the true "Wonderful Counselor" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Wonderful Counselor")), whose wisdom surpasses all human understanding and whose counsel always leads to ultimate victory. Unlike Israel's temporary and costly victories, Christ's triumph over sin and death was achieved through perfect obedience and self-sacrifice on the cross. He is the ultimate "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the full weight of humanity's brokenness and rebellion, a far greater sin than that which plagued Benjamin. His suffering and perseverance, even unto death, as described in [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith"), lead to eternal victory and reconciliation. Through His atoning work, Christ breaks down the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), reconciling not just tribes but all humanity to God and to one another, making "brothers" truly at peace. The weeping of Israel before the LORD finds its ultimate answer in the tears of Christ in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), a lamentation that secured our salvation and ushered in an era of true peace and divine guidance for all who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 20:26

¶ Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Judges 20:27

And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God [was] there in those days,

Hosea 5:15

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Joshua 7:6

¶ And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.

Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Psalms 78:36

Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

Judges 20:18

¶ 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.