שופטים, פרק כ׳, פסוק כ״ג

Following their initial defeat in battle, the Israelites find themselves deeply broken and torn about continuing the conflict against their own brothers. Before returning to the battlefield, they journey up to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. There, they weep and seek guidance from God [מצודת דוד].

The way the Israelites present their question to God reveals their deep fear and uncertainty. Rather than asking if they should engage in full combat, they simply ask if they should continue to approach the battle. Shaken by their recent loss, they assume it might not be His will for them to wage an actual war. They wonder if they should merely advance toward the tribe of Benjamin as a show of force, hoping to threaten them into handing over the guilty men.

God responds with a clear command to go up against them. This answer assures the Israelites that the Benjaminites truly deserve death for their crimes. God clarifies that the earlier defeat happened for a different reason entirely, and not because the war itself was wrong. However, even with this direct order from God, the Israelites remain conflicted. Their hearts still trouble them. They advance toward the battlefield but hold back from launching an attack. Instead, they wait for the Benjaminites to strike first, a hesitation that ultimately costs them the lives of many more warriors [אלשיך].