The children of Israel arose, and went up to Bethel, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? Yahweh said, Judah [shall go up] first.
The Benjamites were outstanding warriors in Israel. Ehud and Saul, as well as other champions, came from the tribe of Benjamin (cf. Genesis 49:27; 1 Chronicles 8:40; 1 Chronicles 12:2). The 700 left-handed soldiers (Judges 20:16) were evidently an elite force, all of whom were expert in the use of the sling.