And the Israelites inquired of the LORD.
This phrase highlights the Israelites' practice of seeking divine guidance during times of crisis. In the context of Judges 20, the Israelites are facing internal conflict with the tribe of Benjamin. The act of inquiring of the LORD reflects a dependence on God for direction, a common practice in the Old Testament (e.g., 1 Samuel 23:2, 2 Samuel 2:1). This inquiry was often done through the priestly use of the Urim and Thummim, sacred lots used to discern God's will (Exodus 28:30). It underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance in decision-making, a principle that remains relevant for believers today.

(In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,
The mention of the Ark of the Covenant signifies the presence of God among His people. The Ark, a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and manna, symbolized God's covenant with Israel and His dwelling among them (Exodus 25:10-22). During this period, the Ark was located at Bethel, a significant site for worship and inquiry (Judges 20:18, 26-28). The presence of the Ark indicates that the Israelites were seeking guidance in a legitimate and reverent manner. The Ark also foreshadows Christ, who is the ultimate presence of God with humanity (John 1:14). The reference to the Ark here emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the Israelites' desire for divine intervention.

1. The Israelites
The collective tribes of Israel who are seeking guidance from God during a time of internal conflict with the tribe of Benjamin.

2. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, whom the Israelites are seeking for divine guidance and intervention.

3. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. It was located at Bethel during this time.

4. Bethel
A significant location in Israelite history, often associated with worship and divine encounters. It served as a place where the Israelites sought God's guidance.

5. The Conflict with Benjamin
A civil war within Israel, where the other tribes are fighting against the tribe of Benjamin due to a grievous sin committed in Gibeah.Seeking Divine Guidance
The Israelites' inquiry of the Lord emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis and decision-making.

The Presence of God
The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes God's presence. Believers today can seek God's presence through prayer and the Holy Spirit.

Community and Accountability
The conflict with Benjamin highlights the need for accountability within the community of believers and addressing sin with justice and grace.

Faith in Action
The Israelites' actions demonstrate faith in God's guidance, reminding believers to act on God's direction with trust and obedience.

The Role of Worship
Bethel as a place of worship underscores the importance of worship in seeking God's will and presence.(27) Enquired of the Lord--i.e., of Jehovah, as in Judges 20:23. On the occasion of their first general inquiry (Judges 20:18) it is said that they "enquired of Elohim," but it is impossible to draw any certain inferences from this change of expression. It is clear, however, that the nation had been thoroughly and beneficially humiliated by these two terrible reverses, and that their approach to Jehovah on this occasion was far more solemn and devout than it had been at first.

Was there--i.e., at Bethel, though Bethel has not been mentioned in the English Version, owing to the erroneous rendering of the name by "House of God" in Judges 20:18-26.

Verse 27. - Enquired of the Lord. In the Hebrew, Asked the Lord, as in vers. 18, 23. For the ark of the covenant, etc. A most important statement, defining the time of these occurrences, within the lifetime of Phinehas, and also giving a strong intimation that the writer of these words lived after the tabernacle had been removed from Shiloh and its neighbourhood to Jerusalem. Was there. Where? The natural answer to be given is, At Bethel; for Bethel is the only place that has been named. But it is not in accordance with the other intimations given us concerning the tabernacle, that Bethel should be its resting-place under the high priesthood of Phinehas. In Joshua 18:1 we have the formal pitching of the tabernacle of the congregation at Shiloh; in Joshua 22:12 we find it there, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest before it; in 1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Samuel 2:14; 1 Samuel 3:21; 1 Samuel 4:3, we find it settled there till taken by the Philistines; and in Psalm 78:60 we find Shiloh described as the abode of the tabernacle till its capture by the Philistines, and there is no hint anywhere of Bethel or any other place having been the resting-place of the ark before it fell into the hands of the Philistines. Neither, again, is the explanation of some commentators, that the words the ark... was there in those days implies "that the ark of the covenant was only temporarily at Bethel," at all satisfactory. In those days has naturally a much wider and broader application, like the expression (Judges 17:6; Judges 18:1), In those days there was no king in Israel, and contrasts the time of Phinehas and the judges with the times of the monarchy, when the ark and the high priest were at Jerusalem. Unless, therefore, we understand Bethel in vers. 18, 26, 31 to mean the house of God, which seems quite impossible, we must interpret the word there to mean Shiloh, and suppose that the writer took no count of the temporary removal to Bethel for the convenience of consultation, but considered that it was at Shiloh in one sense, though momentarily it was a few miles off. Possibly too in the fuller narrative, of which we have here the abridgment, the name of Shiloh was mentioned as that to which there referred.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then the Israelites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

inquired
וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ (way·yiš·’ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

of the LORD.
בַּֽיהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

(In those
הָהֵֽם׃ (hā·hêm)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

days,
בַּיָּמִ֖ים (bay·yā·mîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

the ark
אֲרוֹן֙ (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the covenant
בְּרִ֣ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of God
הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

was there,
וְשָׁ֗ם (wə·šām)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither


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OT History: Judges 20:27 The children of Israel asked of Yahweh (Jd Judg. Jdg)