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.

Then all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and all the people {H5971}, went up {H5927}, and came {H935} unto the house {H1004} of God {H430}{H1008}, and wept {H1058}, and sat {H3427} there before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and fasted {H6684} that day {H3117} until even {H6153}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} and peace offerings {H8002} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Then the whole army of Isra'el, all the people, went up to Beit-El and cried and sat there in the presence of ADONAI. They fasted that day until evening, offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to ADONAI,

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.

Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto Beth-el, and wept, and sat there before Jehovah, and fasted that day until even; and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah.

Commentary

Context

This verse describes a pivotal moment during a brutal civil war in ancient Israel. It follows two consecutive and unexpected defeats for the Israelite confederacy against the tribe of Benjamin, despite Israel's just cause in confronting the horrific crime committed in Gibeah (Judges 19:22-26). Initially, the Israelites had inquired of the Lord whether to go to battle (Judges 20:18, Judges 20:23), but after suffering massive casualties, they realized their previous inquiries might have lacked true humility or a full understanding of God's timing and purpose. This verse marks a significant turning point, showing the nation in deep distress and genuine repentance before the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Profound Humiliation and Repentance: The actions described—going to the "house of God," weeping, sitting before the Lord, and fasting—are powerful expressions of national grief, brokenness, and a sincere turning from self-reliance to God. After two military disasters, the Israelites are profoundly humbled, acknowledging their desperate need for divine intervention rather than relying on their own strength or initial presumptions of divine approval.
  • Earnest Seeking of God's Will: Unlike their previous, perhaps more superficial, inquiries, this time the Israelites engage in intense spiritual disciplines. Their prolonged mourning and fasting signify a deeper commitment to truly understand and align with God's will, not just to receive a quick answer or validation for their plans. This is a desperate plea for clarity and direction.
  • Atonement and Reconciliation: The offering of burnt offerings (Hebrew: 'olah), signifying complete dedication and atonement, and peace offerings (Hebrew: shelamim), representing fellowship and reconciliation, demonstrates their desire to restore their broken relationship with God and, implicitly, with each other after the civil strife. This act of sacrifice was crucial for approaching a holy God and seeking His favor.

Linguistic Insights

  • "House of God": While often translated as Bethel in other contexts, here it refers to the central sanctuary, most likely the Tabernacle located at Shiloh during the period of the Judges, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This was the primary place for national worship and seeking divine counsel.
  • "Wept" (Hebrew: bakah): This word conveys a deep, mournful crying, indicative of intense sorrow, lamentation, and heartfelt contrition.
  • "Fasted that day until even": Fasting was a common biblical practice for humbling oneself before God, expressing deep sorrow, seeking divine favor or intervention, and demonstrating earnestness in times of crisis.

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless lesson on responding to failure and adversity. When human efforts, even those seemingly undertaken with divine approval, lead to unexpected defeat, the appropriate response is not despair but deeper humility, repentance, and earnest seeking of God. It highlights the importance of:

  • True Humility: Recognizing our limitations and God's sovereignty, especially in the face of setbacks or unanswered prayers.
  • Persistent Prayer and Fasting: Engaging in spiritual disciplines as a means of truly humbling ourselves and drawing closer to God's heart, demonstrating our earnestness and dependence on Him.
  • Seeking God's Presence: Prioritizing worship and genuine reconciliation with God above immediate solutions or justifications.
  • Learning from Failure: Understanding that God sometimes allows defeat to bring about a more profound spiritual transformation and alignment with His purposes, as seen in God's definitive answer to Israel in Judges 20:28.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.)

  • Joel 2:12

    ¶ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

  • Joel 2:18

    ¶ Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

  • Ezra 8:21

    ¶ Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

  • Ezra 9:4

    Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

  • Ezra 9:5

    ¶ And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

  • 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.