18The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, “Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” And the LORD said, “Judah shall go up first.”
This verse introduces three battle scenes (Judges 20:18–21, Judges 20:22–26, Judges 20:27–36). All three scenes share a common cycle: first an inquiry, then an answer, then an attack, and then the outcome.
18 The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, “Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” And the LORD said, “Judah shall go up first.”