Judges 20:18

The Israelite host is mustered (Judges 20:17), and all is ready for an advance against Gibeah (Judges 20:19 f.), when the entire army marches off to Beth-el, 10 m. distance from Mizpah (if = Nebî Samwîl), to consult the divine oracle. Such a change of position at such a moment is almost incredible, and unnecessary, one would think, inasmuch as Mizpah itself was a sanctuary (Judges 20:1). Although Beth-el has a place in the B narrative (Judges 20:26 f.), this verse can hardly belong to the original form of it. And there are indications which confirm the impression that the verse is a gloss; contrast -asked counsel of God" with -asked counsel of Jehovah" Judges 20:23; Judges 20:27; the question and response of the oracle are imitated from Judges 1:1-2; in the account which follows all Israel acts together, not under the initiative of Judah; in the Hebr. Judges 20:18 begin with the same word and they arose.

went up to Beth-el Vulgate they came to the house of God, that is to Shiloh: an interesting attempt to get over a theoretical difficulty; see on Judges 20:27, and cf. Judges 21:2 n.