Judges 20:27

And the children of Israel enquired of the Lord, (for the Arke of þ couenant of God was there in those daies, Judges 20:27 (KJV)

The book of Judges describes a period in Israel’s history after they had entered the Promised Land. It was a time characterised by cycles of disobedience, oppression by enemies, and God raising up judges to deliver the people. Judges 20 recounts a severe civil‑war‑like conflict that arose between the tribes of Israel. In Judges 20, the chapter begins with an account of a terrible incident involving a Levite and his concubine. This led to a call for justice and retribution from the other tribes of Israel. The Levite cut the woman’s body into twelve pieces and sent them to the tribes, prompting a gathering of the people to address this evil. Verse 27 records the Israelites rising to battle against the tribe of Benjamin; it does not mention the Ark of the Covenant. The earlier verses (Judges 20:1‑2) describe the Israelites assembling at Bethel to seek the LORD’s counsel, without reference to the Ark. Now the children of Israel assembled together and went to Bethel, and there they sat before the LORD. And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD.

The example set by the children of Israel teaches us the importance of seeking God’s counsel in difficult times. When faced with challenging situations, seeking the Lord’s guidance through prayer and studying His Word is crucial. God promises to guide and direct those who seek Him with a sincere heart (Proverbs 3:5‑6).

While the Ark of the Covenant symbolised God’s presence elsewhere in Israel’s history, Judges 20 highlights the people’s reliance on God’s presence in prayer rather than a physical artifact. In our lives, we should honour and respect God’s presence, recognising that He is with us always (Matthew 28:20). This should lead us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

The tribes of Israel came together as one, recognising their need for divine intervention. This unity was important for seeking God’s guidance and addressing the injustice that had taken place. Similarly, as believers, we should strive for unity among fellow believers, working together for the advancement of God’s kingdom (Ephesians 4:3).

The incident that led to this gathering was a grave injustice, and the tribes recognised the need for justice and retribution. God is a God of justice, and He expects His people to pursue justice and righteousness (Micah 6:8). This passage reminds us of the importance of standing against evil and seeking justice in our society.