Judges 20:28

“And Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days, etc.] Before the ark, ministering before the Lord, which shows that this affair was long before the times of Samson, though placed after them; or otherwise Phinehas must have been more than three hundred years of age, which is not probable f424. Phinehas’s standing before the ark was the posture of the priest when he inquired of the Lord for any by Urim and Thummim; the person that inquired stood before him that was inquired of, as Kimchi observes, and he that was inquired of stood before the Shechinah, or the presence of the divine Majesty, of which the ark was a symbol: saying, shall I yet again go out to…”

“Phinehas, the son of Eleazar ... - A most important chronological statement, which makes it probable that these events occurred within twenty years of the death of Joshua. To-morrow - The two former answers only bade them go up against Benjamin; now, for the first time, the promise is added, “Tomorrow,” etc. (compare Joshua 8:1). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Phinehas - This is added to give us light about the time of this history, and to shew it was not done in the order in which it is here placed, after Samson's death, but long before. Stood - That is ministered as high - priest. The Lord said - When they sought God after the due order, and truly humbled themselves for their sins, he gives them a satisfactory answer. Judges 20:29”

“Phinehas: It is evident, from this mention of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, that these transactions must have taken place not long after the death of Joshua. Num 25:7-13; Jos 22:13, Jos 22:30-32, Jos 24:33 stood: Deu 10:8, Deu 18:5 Shall I yet: Jos 7:7; Sa1 14:37, Sa1 23:4-12, Sa1 30:8; Sa2 5:19-24, Sa2 6:3, Sa2 6:7-12; Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6; Jer 10:23 Go up: Jdg 1:2, Jdg 7:9; Ch2 20:17 Judges 20:29”