Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:18
(18) To the house of God.—Rather, to Bethel (as in the LXX., Syriac, Arabic, and Chaldee). The reason why our translators adopted their translation is shown by the Vulgate, which renders it “to the house of God that is in Shiloh.” But Beth El cannot mean “house of God,” which is always either Beth ha-Elohim or Beth Adonai (house of the Lord). Why they did not meet at the more central Shiloh we cannot say.Asked counsel of God.—Namely, by the Urim and Thummim. Apparently the high priest was not... read more
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:16
(16) Seven hundred chosen men.—These words are omitted in the LXX. and Vulg.Left handed.—The same phrase as that employed in Judges 3:15.Could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.—The expression is perfectly simple, and merely implies extreme accuracy of aim. Bochart’s attempt (Hieroz. Ii. 162) to explain it by a passage in Quintus Smyrnœus, which says that archers used to contend which should be able to shoot off the horsehair crest of a helmet, is a mere specimen of learning... read more