13. Now then, deliver up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove this wickedness from Israel." But the sons of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel.
14. The sons of Benjamin gathered from the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the sons of Israel.
15. From the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were numbered, 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered, 700 choice men.
16. Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17. Then the men of Israel besides Benjamin were numbered, 400,000 men who draw the sword; all these were men of war.
18. Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, "Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?" Then the Lord said, "Judah shall go up first."
19. So the sons of Israel arose in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
20. The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel arrayed for battle against them at Gibeah.
21. Then the sons of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and felled to the ground on that day 22,000 men of Israel.
22. But the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and arrayed for battle again in the place where they had arrayed themselves the first day.
23. The sons of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall we again draw near for battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin?" And the Lord said, "Go up against him."
24. Then the sons of Israel came against the sons of Benjamin the second day.
25. Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and felled to the ground again 18,000 men of the sons of Israel; all these drew the sword.
26. Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.