Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”
The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.
Then Abner called out to Joab: “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?”
Behold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.”
If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.
Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.
…do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?