12. Then the tribes of Israel sent men throughout all the tribes of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that happened among you?
13. So then, hand over the men, the perverse lot, who are in Gibeah, so that we may kill them and purge this wickedness from Israel.” But the descendants of Benjamin were not willing to listen to the voice of their relatives, the Israelites.
14. And the descendants of Benjamin were gathered from the cities to Gibeah to go out for battle against the Israelites.
15. From the cities the descendants of Benjamin were counted on that day twenty-six thousand sword-wielding men, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were counted seven hundred well-trained men.
16. From all these troops were seven hundred well-trained men who were left-handed; each one could sling with a stone at a hair and not miss.
17. And the men of Israel besides Benjamin were counted four hundred thousand sword-wielding men; all were warriors.
18. Then the Israelites got up and went up to Bethel, and they inquired of God, saying, “Who will go up first for the battle against the descendants of Benjamin?” And Yahweh said, “Judah will go first.”
19. And the Israelites got up in the morning, and they encamped against Gibeah.