The men of Israel, besides Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men who drew sword: all these were men of war.
"And the men of Israel went up to Bethel"  (Judges 20:18).  At this time, the tabernacle was located at Shiloh, but, "Israel did not go to Shiloh, because that place was too far from the seat of the war.  The Ark of the Covenant had been brought to Bethel, and Phinehas the High Priest inquired of the Lord before the Ark of the Covenant by means of the Urim and Thummin  (Judges 20:27-28)."[15]  From this location, Israel could quite easily consult the will of God. "Bethel was only seven or eight miles from the seat of the war, only about half as far as Shiloh."[16]  Having consulted the will of God, Israel proceeded with the war.