King James Version

What Does Judges 20:18 Mean?

Judges 20:18 in the King James Version says “And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God , and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shal... — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Judges 20:18 · KJV


Context

16

Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded ; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

17

And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.

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.

19

And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.

20

And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God (בֵית־אֵל, beit-el, 'Bethel')—finally, consultation with God! And asked counsel of God (וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ בֵּאלֹהִים, vayish'alu be'elohim)—the verb 'to ask' (שָׁאַל, sha'al) suggests inquiry, but their question reveals shallow consultation: Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first (יְהוּדָה בַּתְּחִלָּה, yehudah batechillah).

Israel's inquiry is revealing in what it asks and what it omits. They ask 'which tribe first?' but never 'should we attack at all?' They assume war is the right course, seeking only tactical guidance about implementation. God answers their narrow question—'Judah first'—but His response doesn't constitute blanket approval of their strategy. The following two defeats demonstrate that God's designation of Judah as vanguard doesn't equal blessing on their battle plan. This illustrates how we can receive answers to limited questions while missing God's fuller counsel. Israel's consultation is real but insufficient—they seek God's input without truly submitting their approach for evaluation. When we predetermine our course and ask God only about details, we receive technical answers that may not prevent strategic disaster. Divine guidance requires surrendering the whole plan, not merely requesting rubber-stamp approval.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Bethel ('house of God'), located about 12 miles north of Jerusalem, was an important worship site in this period. The ark of the covenant was there (v. 27), making it a legitimate place for inquiry. However, the tabernacle remained at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1), suggesting the ark had been relocated—possibly for this very occasion. That Judah was designated first recalls their primacy in earlier battles (1:1-2) and anticipates their later preeminence under David and in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. When do you ask God about 'how' without submitting your entire plan for His evaluation?
  2. How do you seek divine rubber-stamp approval rather than surrendering to potential redirection?
  3. What would it mean to truly ask 'Should I do this?' rather than 'How should I implement what I've already decided?'

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיָּקֻ֜מוּ1 of 21

arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יַֽעֲלֶה2 of 21

and went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בֵֽית3 of 21

to the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֵל֮4 of 21
H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וַיִּשְׁאֲל֣וּ5 of 21

and asked

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

בֵֽאלֹהִים֒6 of 21

counsel of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר7 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּנֵ֣י8 of 21

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל9 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִ֚י10 of 21

Which

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יַֽעֲלֶה11 of 21

and went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לָּ֣נוּ12 of 21
H0
בַתְּחִלָּֽה׃13 of 21

first

H8462

a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)

לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה14 of 21

to the battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

עִם15 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בְּנֵ֣י16 of 21

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִנְיָמִ֑ן17 of 21

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר18 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 21

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יְהוּדָ֥ה20 of 21

Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

בַתְּחִלָּֽה׃21 of 21

first

H8462

a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 20:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 20:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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