Verse 18
18. Went up to the house of God Rather, went up to Beth-el, because, as Judges 20:27 informs us, the ark of God was there at that time. See note on Judges 20:27.
Asked counsel of God By means of the urim on the ephod of Phinehas, the high priest. Compare notes on Numbers 27:21, and Judges 18:5.
Which of us shall go up first The same question that was asked when they went to battle against the Canaanites, (Judges 1:1,) and the same answer was given. They felt that all preparations for battle were incomplete until they had received a communication from God; but it was a grievous mistake in them not to have asked counsel of the Lord before declaring war against their brother Benjamin, and for this neglect and their self-confidence they pay dearly before the war is over. “Nothing can be clearer,” says Kitto, “than that they never once thought of consulting the Divine oracle till the war had been fully resolved upon and settled beyond recall by solemn pledges and oaths.”
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