What Does Judges 20:27 Mean in the King James?
And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The question is asked from inside covenant presence, not from outside it.
THE MEANING
Your question can be spoken within covenant presence already surrounding you. Asking does not create that relationship; the verse places inquiry inside a bond already held in view. The ark makes that nearness tangible in the passage.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that asking means the covenant bond is absent.
THE ROOT
וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ
vayyish'alu
GROWS FROM
שאל
to ask, request, or inquire
The verse’s “enquired” is an act of asking, and the same root also names a request and what is asked for. Inquiry here sits alongside the ark of the covenant: asking unfolds within a relationship already signaled by presence.
ALSO GROWS
she'elah: A request or question
שְׁאֵלָה
It shows that the root holds both the act of asking and the question or request brought forward.
sha'ul: Asked for or requested; also the name Saul
שָׁאוּל
This form carries the sense of being asked for, extending the root from the question to what is sought.
THE PATTERN
Scripture presents asking as something spoken within relationship and the presence of God.
Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.THE THREAD
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.The word rendered “desired” comes from שאל, the same root as “enquired” here. David’s desire and Israel’s inquiry are both forms of asking, voiced alongside the presence of God.
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