Definition: And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah [shall go up] first.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Judges 20:18. It’s a really important passage about leadership and God’s plan. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Israel was in trouble: The Israelites were facing a major crisis – they had been disobeying God's commands for a long time, and now they were in a position of great danger. They sought guidance: They were desperate for help and knew they needed to make a crucial decision about how to fight. God intervened: God decided to take the lead. He sent messengers (the children of Israel) to ask him, “Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?” This was a really significant question because Benjamin was a group of people in the Israelites’ history who were considered rebellious. God's plan: God then told them, “Judah [ Judah ] shall go up first.” Putting it together – What does this mean? It means that God, through his messengers, saw that Judah was the best choice to lead the battle against the children of Benjamin. He chose him because he believed he would be the most responsible and capable of leading the Israelites to victory. It wasn’t about who wanted to go up; it was about who God thought was best suited for the task. Key Takeaways: God's Sovereignty: This verse shows that God is in control and has a plan, even when things seem chaotic. He doesn’t just let things happen randomly. Leadership Matters: It highlights the importance of leadership – God entrusted this crucial decision to a specific person. Faith & Obedience: It emphasizes the need for faith and obedience to God's will, even when it seems difficult or uncertain. Important Note: This verse is part of a larger story about Israel’s history and challenges. It sets the stage for the later events in Judges 20. --- Do you want me to explain any specific aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain what "Judah" represents? Discuss why this verse is significant in biblical history?