Judges 20:26
*Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel, and wept; thus they remained there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.* (v.26) This verse unfolds in the middle of a severe conflict between the Israelite tribes and the tribe of Benjamin, a situation that had escalated to civil war. The timing of this event is during the era of the Judges, which spanned approximately from 1375 to 1050 BC, after Joshua’s leadership and before the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. Here the entire community of Israel gathers at Bethel as the conflict has taken a grave toll, and their actions reflect deep sorrow and repentance. By weeping before the Lord and fasting until evening, the people demonstrate a posture of humility—seeking divine guidance when all human attempts have left them in turmoil.
Bethel is located roughly ten to twelve miles north of Jerusalem. In earlier biblical history (Genesis 28:19 NASB-95), Bethel was known as the place where Jacob encountered God in a dream, setting it apart as a spiritually significant location for worship. Returning to Bethel in Judges 20:26 is thus a potent symbol of coming back to a place rich with the heritage of encountering God. By appearing together before the Lord in this sacred site, the tribes display unity in their repentance and in their desire for God’s direction. They do not rely on their own might; instead, they acknowledge their dependence on the One who delivered them from Egyptian bondage and led them through earlier challenges (Exodus 14:30 NASB-95).
The presence of burnt offerings and peace offerings is especially meaningful in the context of turning to God after sinful or misguided actions. Burnt offerings typically represented total devotion to the Lord, while peace offerings often symbolized communion and fellowship with Him. By offering these sacrifices, Israel not only acknowledges the Lord’s sovereignty but also seeks a renewed relationship with Him, reminiscent of later New Testament calls for believers to repent and be reconciled to God through Christ (Romans 5:1 NASB-95). Together, these gestures of fasting, weeping, and offering sacrifices highlight the people’s wholehearted plea for divine mercy and victory.
They sought the Lord’s favor through humble repentance and sincere worship in the midst of their great struggle.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Genesis 4:20-26 meaning. Lamech’s two wives, Adah and Zillah, have children who continue to build in the city of Enoch. Meanwhile, Adam and Eve have another son named Seth. Through Seth, the godly lineage would continue.
- Acts 13:26-31 meaning. Paul tells his audience that Jesus was the promised Savior sent by God. He fulfilled the prophecies and promises made by God in the Old Testament. The leaders of Israel rejected Jesus and put Him to death, which was also prophesied in the Old Testament. God raised Jesus back to life. Many witnesses saw Jesus after He resurrected and have been spreading the news ever since.
- Genesis 20:1-4 meaning. Abraham moves to Gerar. He told King Abimelech that Sarah was his sister. Therefore, the king sent for and took Sarah. However, in a dream, God revealed to Abimelech that Sarah was married.