Judges 20:18

The text of this verse proclaims, *“Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, ‘Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?’ Then the LORD said, ‘Judah shall go up first.”* (v.18). This moment occurs in the broader context of a civil conflict between the other tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin—an event that followed from a great moral outrage described earlier in Judges 19. Historically placed toward the latter part of the era of the Judges (approximately 1375–1050 BC), this gathering at Bethel demonstrates the Israelites seeking God’s counsel before engaging in a local, yet devastating war. Bethel itself was located roughly ten miles north of Jerusalem, having a heritage as an important site going back to the days of the patriarchs (Genesis 28:19 NASB-95), making it a prime location for the people to turn to God.

In this verse, we see the tribes unified in appealing to their divine King: *“…inquired of God and said, ‘Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?’”* (v.18). Their dependence on God’s direction highlights the seriousness of this internal conflict, as well as their recognition that no victory or resolution could be found by human effort alone. God’s answer, *“Then the LORD said, ‘Judah shall go up first,”* (v.18), calls to mind the special prominence of the tribe of Judah, not just as a leading tribe among the Israelites, but ultimately as the tribe through which Israel’s greatest King, David, and later Jesus the Messiah would arise (Matthew 1:1–2 NASB-95). God’s choice thus aligns with the consistent theme of Judah’s leadership described from Genesis 49:8–10 NASB-95 forward.

This instruction to send Judah first illustrates God’s sovereignty and the unique role He assigned to Judah. Although the circumstance is grim—a fraternal conflict—His guiding voice still points the way. The people’s willingness to seek His input and obey it underscores an essential truth repeated throughout Scripture: that God’s direction is the surest path, whether facing external foes or internal challenges.

Judah, as the tribe of leadership, exemplifies the lineage through which our greater Deliverer, Jesus, would come.