Judges Chapter 18 · Verse 5
And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁאַל
unto him Ask counsel
H7592
שְׁאַל
unto him Ask counsel
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
3 of 12
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
4 of 12
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
בֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים
we pray thee of God
H430
בֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים
we pray thee of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔ה
that we may know
H3045
וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔ה
that we may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 12
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הֲתַצְלִ֣חַ
shall be prosperous
H6743
הֲתַצְלִ֣חַ
shall be prosperous
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
7 of 12
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
דַּרְכֵּ֔נוּ
whether our way
H1870
דַּרְכֵּ֔נוּ
whether our way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Consulting God through priests or prophets was common in ancient Israel, typically using the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21). However, such inquiry should have occurred at the authorized sanctuary (Shiloh) through the high priest, not through a rogue Levite at a private shrine with idolatrous images. The Danites' willingness to accept guidance from an unauthorized source demonstrates how far they had strayed from proper worship. They wanted convenient religion that affirmed their choices rather than authoritative revelation that might challenge them.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we sometimes seek God's blessing on our plans rather than genuinely seeking His will?
- What's the difference between asking God for guidance and asking Him to endorse decisions we've already made?
- How can we cultivate hearts that genuinely desire God's purposes even when they conflict with our preferences?
Analysis & Commentary
And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous. The Danite spies sought divine approval for their mission without questioning whether abandoning their God-given territory honored Him. The phrase "ask counsel...of God" (she'al-na be'Elohim, שְׁאַל־נָא בֵאלֹהִים) uses the generic Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) rather than the covenant name Yahweh (יְהוָה), suggesting superficial religiosity rather than covenant relationship. They wanted religious sanction, not genuine submission to God's will.
Their question—"whether our way which we go shall be prosperous" (hatitshlach darkenu asher anachnu holkim aleiha, הֲתַצְלַח דַּרְכֵּנוּ אֲשֶׁר אֲנַחְנוּ הֹלְכִים עָלֶיהָ)—reveals the fundamental problem: it's "our way," not God's way. They had already decided their course; they merely wanted assurance it would succeed. The Hebrew tsalach (צָלַח, "prosper/succeed") emphasizes pragmatic success, not righteousness or covenant faithfulness. This illustrates the danger of seeking God's blessing on our plans rather than seeking His plans for our lives. From a Reformed perspective, true prayer seeks God's will, not divine rubber-stamping of human decisions (James 4:13-15, 1 John 5:14-15).