Judges 20:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} enquired {H7592} of the LORD {H3068},(for the ark {H727} of the covenant {H1285} of God {H430} was there in those days {H3117},

Complete Jewish Bible

and asked ADONAI what to do. The ark for the covenant of God was there at that time;

Berean Standard Bible

And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel asked of Jehovah (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:27 captures a pivotal and desperate moment in ancient Israel's civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. After suffering two devastating defeats despite initial divine instruction, the remaining eleven tribes, in profound humility and repentance, once again sought the Lord's counsel. This verse specifically highlights the critical role of the Ark of the Covenant, noting its presence as the tangible symbol of God's dwelling among His people and the primary means through which they could formally inquire of His will, underscoring their persistent, albeit costly, reliance on divine guidance amidst national crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 20:27 is embedded within the harrowing narrative of Israel's civil war (Judges 19-21), a period characterized by moral decay and a lack of central leadership, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes")). The preceding chapters detail the horrific crime committed by Benjamites in Gibeah, leading the other tribes to gather at Mizpah ([Judges 20:1](/judges/20-1 "Judges 20:1 - Israel Gathers at Mizpah")) to address the atrocity. Despite receiving an initial command to "Go up!" ([Judges 20:18](/judges/20-18 "Judges 20:18 - Israel's First Inquiry")), Israel suffered two crushing defeats, losing 22,000 men in the first battle and 18,000 in the second ([Judges 20:21](/judges/20-21 "Judges 20:21 - First Defeat") and [Judges 20:25](/judges/20-25 "Judges 20:25 - Second Defeat")). These losses drove them to profound contrition, weeping, fasting, and offering sacrifices before the Lord at Bethel ([Judges 20:26](/judges/20-26 "Judges 20:26 - Israel Weeps at Bethel")), setting the stage for this third, more earnest inquiry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was a tumultuous era in Israelite history, marked by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Without a king, tribal autonomy often led to disunity and moral compromise. The Ark of the Covenant, mentioned in this verse, was the most sacred object in ancient Israel, representing God's throne and His covenant presence among His people. It housed the tablets of the Law, Aaron's staff, and a pot of manna ([Hebrews 9:4](/hebrews/9-4 "Hebrews 9:4 - Contents of the Ark")). During this time, consulting the Lord typically involved the high priest ministering before the Ark, often utilizing the Urim and Thummim (sacred lots) to discern divine will, particularly for national decisions, military campaigns, or judicial matters. The Ark's presence at Bethel (or nearby) indicates a significant gathering point for national worship and divine consultation, even if its permanent resting place was eventually Shiloh ([Joshua 18:1](/joshua/18-1 "Joshua 18:1 - Tabernacle at Shiloh")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Judges and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Consultation and Guidance**, underscoring Israel's persistent, though sometimes flawed, recognition of the necessity of seeking God's explicit direction in matters of national import, especially war. Despite their initial presumption, their repeated inquiries demonstrate a fundamental belief that true success and victory come only through God's will. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Presence and Accessibility**, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark's "being there" signifies God's willingness to dwell among His people and to communicate with them, even when they are in a state of moral decline. It serves as a tangible reminder of His covenant faithfulness. Lastly, the context of this inquiry, following two defeats and intense weeping, brings to the forefront the theme of **Humility and Perseverance in Prayer**. It illustrates that genuine repentance and persistent supplication are essential for receiving clear divine instruction, even when previous attempts have seemingly led to failure or misunderstanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Enquired of the LORD (Hebrew, _sha'al YHWH'_):** This phrase denotes a formal, solemn, and often desperate act of seeking divine revelation or guidance. It implies a direct consultation with God, typically through the high priest who would minister before the Ark of the Covenant, often using the Urim and Thummim to discern God's specific will. It's more than just a casual prayer; it's a structured request for a definitive answer on a critical matter, indicating a recognition of God's sovereignty and their dependence on His direction.
* **Ark of the Covenant of God (Hebrew, _aron habberith Elohim'_):** This refers to the most sacred object in Israel, representing the very presence of God among His people. It was the physical manifestation of God's covenant relationship with Israel, serving as His "footstool" or throne. Its presence indicated that God was accessible for communication and that His divine authority was present to sanction or forbid actions. The inclusion of "of God" (Elohim) further emphasizes its divine origin and sacred purpose, distinguishing it from any ordinary chest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD,"**: This clause reveals the renewed and more profound desperation of the Israelite tribes. After two devastating defeats and the loss of 40,000 men, their initial presumption or misunderstanding of God's command to "Go up" has been replaced by deep humility, repentance, weeping, and fasting ([Judges 20:26](/judges/20-26 "Judges 20:26 - Israel Weeps at Bethel")). Their inquiry is no longer a mere formality but an earnest, life-or-death plea for clear, unmistakable divine guidance, acknowledging their utter inability to proceed without God's explicit direction.
* **"(for the ark of the covenant of God [was] there in those days,"**: This parenthetical clause provides the crucial theological and practical reason for their ability to inquire of the Lord. The physical presence of the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred symbol of God's dwelling among His people, signified that God was indeed accessible and present to communicate His will. It was the designated locus of divine revelation, the point of contact between the holy God and His people, allowing the high priest to mediate and receive answers to their petitions. Its presence at this critical juncture underscored God's continued, albeit challenged, covenant relationship with Israel, even amidst their internal strife and moral failings.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 20:27 employs **Symbolism** through the mention of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark is not merely a box; it is a powerful symbol of God's tangible presence, His covenant faithfulness, and the locus of His divine authority and communication. Its presence signifies that despite Israel's moral depravity and the horrific civil war, God had not utterly abandoned His people but remained accessible to them. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the narrative: God's holy presence, symbolized by the Ark, is situated in the midst of a brutal and unholy civil war, highlighting the stark contrast between God's character and the sinfulness of His people, yet His continued willingness to engage with them. Furthermore, the persistent seeking of the Lord, despite initial setbacks, demonstrates the **Theme of Perseverance**, a recurring motif in biblical narratives concerning prayer and divine guidance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:27 profoundly illustrates God's enduring desire for His people to seek His face and His willingness to provide guidance, even when they have stumbled or misunderstood His initial instructions. It underscores the theological truth that true success, particularly in spiritual warfare or national crisis, is contingent upon divine direction, not human strength or strategic prowess alone. The presence of the Ark reminds us that God is not distant but desires to be intimately involved in the lives of His people, offering a means of communication and revealing His will. This passage serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of humble, persistent, and repentant prayer, especially when facing overwhelming odds or confusing circumstances, reinforcing the biblical principle that those who seek the Lord with all their heart will find Him.

* [Psalm 27:8](/psalms/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face")
* [Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking God with All Your Heart")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 20:27 offers a profound lesson for contemporary believers: the journey of faith often involves setbacks, confusion, and the need for persistent, humble inquiry. Just as Israel, after suffering grievous losses, returned to the Lord with weeping and fasting, we too must not abandon seeking God's will when our initial efforts seem to fail or lead to unexpected difficulties. This verse reminds us that God remains accessible and desires to communicate with us, not through a physical ark, but through His living Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our spiritual defeats often stem from presumption, incomplete obedience, or a failure to seek God's specific, ongoing direction. Therefore, we are called to cultivate a posture of continual dependence, bringing our deepest anxieties, strategic decisions, and even our failures before Him, trusting that He will ultimately guide us to victory according to His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Israel's repeated inquiry, despite initial losses, teach us about perseverance in prayer and seeking God's will?**
* **How does the presence of the Ark of the Covenant in this verse inform our understanding of God's desire for relationship and accessibility?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be relying on your own strength or wisdom, rather than humbly and persistently inquiring of the Lord?**
* **How can we ensure our "inquiries" of God today are marked by genuine humility and a willingness to accept His answers, even if they differ from our expectations?**

### FAQ
**Why did Israel lose the first two battles despite inquiring of the Lord?**

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly state the reason for their initial defeats, several factors are implied. Firstly, their initial inquiry in [Judges 20:18](/judges/20-18 "Judges 20:18 - Israel's First Inquiry") was a simple "Who shall go up first?" which God answered. However, it's possible their attitude was one of presumption, expecting automatic victory simply because God had given permission, without sufficient humility, repentance, or full understanding of the spiritual battle. The subsequent weeping, fasting, and offerings in [Judges 20:26](/judges/20-26 "Judges 20:26 - Israel Weeps at Bethel") suggest a deeper level of contrition and earnestness that was perhaps lacking in their earlier approaches. God may have allowed the defeats to humble them, expose their self-reliance, and lead them to a more profound dependence on Him, demonstrating that divine permission does not negate the need for spiritual preparation and a right heart.

**What was the significance of the Ark's presence in this specific context?**

Answer: The Ark of the Covenant's presence ([Exodus 25:10-22](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10-22 - Instructions for the Ark")) was profoundly significant. It symbolized God's dwelling among His people and served as the primary means through which they could formally consult Him. Its "being there" at this critical juncture meant that God was accessible for direct revelation. It underscored that despite the horrific civil war and Israel's moral failings, God had not abandoned His covenant people. Its presence provided the legitimate, divinely ordained channel for the high priest to seek God's will, often through the Urim and Thummim, ensuring that the guidance received was indeed from the Lord and not merely human conjecture.

**How do we "enquire of the Lord" today, since the Ark of the Covenant is no longer present?**

Answer: While the physical Ark is no longer present, the principle of seeking God's direct guidance remains paramount for believers today. We "enquire of the Lord" primarily through prayer, diligently studying His inspired Word ([2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed")), and listening to the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, illuminates Scripture, and convicts us of God's will. We also seek counsel from wise, godly individuals and the community of faith ([Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Many Counselors")). The New Covenant provides a more direct and intimate access to God through Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, making every believer a temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 20:27, with its focus on Israel's desperate inquiry of the Lord through the Ark of the Covenant, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect access to God provided through Jesus Christ. The Ark, representing God's presence and the locus of divine communication, was a temporary and symbolic means of drawing near to a holy God. It required a high priest and specific rituals to mediate access, and even then, the people could not approach directly. In Christ, however, the very presence of God tabernacled among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), for in Him "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). He is the true and living Ark, the embodiment of God's covenant faithfulness and the ultimate revelation of His will. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus tore the veil of the temple ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), symbolizing the direct, unhindered access we now have to the Father's throne of grace ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). No longer do we need a physical ark or an earthly high priest to "enquire of the Lord"; Christ Himself is our Great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, the Great High Priest")) and the mediator of a new and better covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")). Thus, the persistent seeking of God's will in Judges 20:27 finds its complete fulfillment in our ability to draw near to God with confidence, knowing that in Christ, we have been given every spiritual blessing and direct communion with the One who guides us into all truth ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ")).

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

Joshua 18:1

¶ And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

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.

1 Samuel 4:3

And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

1 Samuel 4:4

So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth [between] the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, [were] there with the ark of the covenant of God.

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.)

Jeremiah 7:12

But go ye now unto my place which [was] in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

Psalms 78:60

So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent [which] he placed among men;