Interesting observation

 

 

Similar words:

 

(1)   "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?" (Judg. 1:1)

"Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand" (v. 2).

 

War victory!

 

(2)   "Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?" (20:18)

"Then the LORD said, ‘Judah shall go up first’" (v. 18).

 

War defeated

 

 

Difference:

 

  1. (1) was against the Canaanites, while (2) was against the people of Benjamin.

 

  1. (1) won in the war, while (2) lost in the war.

 

  1. (1) God promised “behold, I have given the land into his hand” but (2) there was no such promise.