שופטים, פרק כ׳, פסוק י״ז

Following the decision to go to war, the Israelites assemble to organize their military forces against the tribe of Benjamin. The result is a massive, unified army standing firmly by its commitment to fight. The counting of the soldiers is not merely a census, but an active preparation for battle that involves appointing military commanders and arranging the front lines [מלבי״ם]. This sweeping mobilization encompasses every tribe except for Benjamin [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The final count of four hundred thousand men is more than a simple statistic; it highlights the profound determination and dedication of the people. This massive turnout proves that the entire nation kept its initial promise to gather, with not a single person returning home. Remarkably, even the fearful and faint of heart, who are typically exempt from military service, remain as part of the army [מלבי״ם].

The mobilization of these hundreds of thousands of soldiers serves as a final preparation before they approach the house of God to seek guidance through the Urim and Thummim, facilitated by Phinehas the priest. While the location of this gathering is referred to as Bethel, this does not necessarily mean the physical city of Bethel. Since the city was located within the territory of Benjamin, the very tribe they are preparing to fight, an assembly there would be unlikely. Instead, the name refers to the Tabernacle in Shiloh, which was known as the house of God and served as the resting place for the Ark of the Covenant during that era [רלב״ג].