21. That day the men of Benjamin came out from Gibeah. They slaughtered 22,000 of Israel’s men.
22. But Israel’s troops got reinforcements. They formed their battle line where they had formed it on the first day.
23. The Israelites went and cried in the presence of the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord, “Should we continue to wage war against our close relatives, the men of Benjamin?”The Lord answered, “Go fight them!”
24. On the second day the Israelite troops advanced against Benjamin.
25. Benjamin went out from Gibeah to meet them. This time they slaughtered 18,000 men from Israel who were armed with swords.
26. Then all the men of Israel and all the troops went to Bethel. They sat there and cried in the presence of the Lord and fasted that day until evening. Then they sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord.
27. In those days the ark of God’s promise was at Bethel.