Why did the Israelites lose the battles to the Benjamites after receiving the green light from God?

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In Judges 20:18,23. The men of Israel enquired and sought counsel from the Lord to fight with the Benjamites because of their wickedness towards the concubine of the Levite(Judges 19:25-26,20:4). The Lord told them to go, yet they were destroyed twice; first time, the Benjamite destroyed 22,000 men(Judges 20:21), and second times, 18,000 men were destroyed (Judges 20:25). Even the 3rd times after enquiring from the Lord with fasting and offerings! Yet up to 30 men were destroyed, before the Lord intervened and gave them victory. Now,why did the Lord asked them to go and yet,they were smitten? And what does this story teach us?