12. The tribes of Israel sent messengers to every town and village in Benjamin. And wherever the messengers went, they said, “How could those worthless men in Gibeah do such a disgusting thing?
13. We can't allow such a terrible crime to go unpunished in Israel! Hand the men over to us, and we will put them to death.”But the people of Benjamin refused to listen to the other Israelites.
14. Men from towns all over Benjamin's territory went to Gibeah and got ready to fight Israel.
15. The Benjamin tribe had twenty-six thousand soldiers, not counting the seven hundred who were Gibeah's best warriors.
16. In this army there were seven hundred left-handed experts who could sling a stone at a target the size of a hair and hit it every time.
17. The other Israelite tribes organized their army and found they had four hundred thousand experienced soldiers.
18. So they went to the place of worship at Bethel and asked God, “Which tribe should be the first to attack the people of Benjamin?”“Judah,” the Lord answered.