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26 So the entire Israelite army went up and entered Bethel, where they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and communion offerings before the Lord. 27 The Israelites consulted the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of the Lord was there in those days, 28 and Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron,[a] was standing in his presence in those days), and asked, “Shall I again go out to battle with my brother Benjamin, or shall I stop?” The Lord said: Attack! For tomorrow I will deliver him into your power.

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Footnotes

  1. 20:28 Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron: the main line of the priesthood was traced through a grandson of Aaron by this name; see Ex 6:25 and Nm 25:10–13. Whether the priest identified here is the same man or his lineal descendant, the mention of his name adds authority to the sanctuary at Bethel. The reference to the ark of the covenant in the preceding verse has the same effect.

26 Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord.(A) They fasted(B) that day until evening and presented burnt offerings(C) and fellowship offerings(D) to the Lord.(E) 27 And the Israelites inquired of the Lord.(F) (In those days the ark of the covenant of God(G) was there, 28 with Phinehas son of Eleazar,(H) the son of Aaron, ministering before it.)(I) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

The Lord responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.(J)

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