Judges 20:18 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

The children of Israel, i.e. some sent in the name of all. To the house of God, to wit, to Shiloh, which was not far from Mizpeh, where they were. Which of us shall go up first to the battle? this they ask to prevent emulations and contentions; but they do not ask whether they should go against them, or no, for that they knew they ought to do by the will of God already revealed. Nor yet do they seek to God for his help by prayer, and fasting, and sacrifice, as in all reason they ought to have done; but were confident of success, because of their great numbers, and righteous cause.

Judges 20:18

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.