Deuteronomy 1:42

42 But the LORD told me: Tell them: Don't go up! Don't fight because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.

Deuteronomy 1:42 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:42

And the Lord said unto me
When the people had armed themselves, and were in motion, or ready to set forward to ascend the hill:

say unto them, go not up, neither fight;
neither go up the hill, and if they did, contrary to this order, and should meet with enemies, not fight them, but retreat:

for I am not among you:
the ark of the covenant, the symbol of his presence, was then among them, but it did not go with them, it continued in the camp, ( Numbers 14:44 ) nor did the Lord exert his power, or show himself present with them, or to be on their side, but left them to themselves, and to their enemies:

lest ye be smitten before your enemies;
God not being with them to fight for them, protect and defend them, and give them victory.

Deuteronomy 1:42 In-Context

40 But you all must now turn around. Head back toward the wilderness along the route of the Reed Sea.

41 You replied to me: "We've sinned against the LORD! We will go up! We will fight, just as the LORD our God commanded." Each one of you grabbed your weapons. You thought it would be easy to go up into the hills.

42 But the LORD told me: Tell them: Don't go up! Don't fight because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.

43 I reported this to you but you wouldn't listen. You disobeyed the LORD's instruction. Hotheadedly, you went up into the hills.

44 And the Amorites who lived in those hills came out to meet you in battle. They chased you like bees give chase! They gave you a beating from Seir all the way to Hormah.