Judges 20:23

(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.)

(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.)

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."

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.”

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

Judges 20:23 provides a poignant glimpse into a dark period of Israelite history, highlighting the devastating consequences of sin and the nation's persistent, albeit painful, reliance on divine guidance during a brutal civil war. This verse follows two crushing defeats for the combined Israelite tribes against the tribe of Benjamin, yet they continue to seek the LORD's counsel.

Context of Judges 20:23

This verse is situated amidst the tragic narrative of civil war in Judges chapters 19-21. The conflict erupted after a horrific crime committed by Benjamite men in Gibeah (Judges 19:22-26). The other tribes of Israel demanded justice, but Benjamin refused to surrender the culprits, leading to an all-out war. The Israelites had already inquired of the LORD in Judges 20:18, receiving permission to attack, yet they suffered massive losses in two consecutive battles (Judges 20:20-21). Despite these setbacks, and having lost 40,000 men, they returned to Shiloh, renewed their lamentation, and again sought divine direction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Perseverance in Seeking God's Will: Even after two devastating defeats, the children of Israel did not abandon their commitment to consult the LORD. Their repeated inquiry, "Shall I go up again to battle...?" demonstrates 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. This highlights the importance of acknowledging God in all your ways.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Testing: The LORD's consistent answer, "Go up against him," even after their 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. It underscores that God's ways are higher than human understanding, and His commands don't always guarantee immediate, easy success.
  • Humility and Lamentation: The phrase "wept before the LORD until even" signifies profound sorrow, repentance, and a desperate plea for divine intervention. This act of national lamentation and humility was a crucial step before God finally granted them victory in the third battle (Judges 20:28).
  • The Tragedy of Civil Strife: The poignant addition "my brother" emphasizes the deep pain and unnaturalness of this internecine conflict. It highlights the devastating consequences when sin is left unaddressed, tearing apart even the closest bonds within a community.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wept," bakah, denotes deep, often audible lamentation, indicating a profound emotional and spiritual distress. This was not a casual cry but a sincere outpouring of grief and desperation before God, often associated with repentance or earnest supplication.

Practical Application

Judges 20:23 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that God's guidance, even when sought diligently, may not always lead to an easy path. Sometimes, the Lord permits trials and setbacks to refine our faith, deepen our humility, or teach us essential lessons. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of perseverance in prayer and seeking God's will, especially in the face of adversity. True faith continues to lean on God even when circumstances are grim. Finally, it highlights the power of genuine lamentation and humility before the Lord, which can open the door for clearer direction and eventual deliverance.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 20:26 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

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

  • Psalms 78:36 (3 votes)

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

  • Judges 20:18 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.