Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 18:5

"And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous." — Judges 18:5 (ASV)

Ask counsel ... of God. —Doubtless Jonathan showed them the glittering ephod. There were no prophets of whom to inquire, as in 1 Kings 22:5; but their unauthorized inquiry was liable to the strong censure expressed in Isaiah 30:1, Hosea 4:12. They might have at least consulted the high priest Phinehas, or some other national representative.