Judges 20:26

26 Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the LORD and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD .

Judges 20:26 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 20:26

Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up,
and came unto the house of God
This looks as if the whole body of the army, with other people from parts adjacent, went up to the tabernacle of God in Shiloh:

and wept and sat there before the Lord;
not only wept, but continued weeping, and that not merely for their defeat, but for their sins, since it follows:

and fasted that day until even;
afflicted their bodies with fasting, which was a token of the humiliation of their souls for their sins:

and offered burnt offering's and peace offerings before the Lord,
to make atonement for their sins, and to implore success on their arms.

Judges 20:26 In-Context

24 So the next day they went out again to fight against the men of Benjamin,
25 but the men of Benjamin killed another 18,000 Israelites, all of whom were experienced with the sword.
26 Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the LORD and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD .
27 The Israelites went up seeking direction from the LORD . (In those days the Ark of the Covenant of God was in Bethel,
28 and Phinehas son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron was the priest.) The Israelites asked the LORD, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again, or should we stop?” The LORD said, “Go! Tomorrow I will hand them over to you.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.