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.
27. The sons of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28. and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, Aaron's son, stood before it to minister in those days), saying, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?" And the Lord said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand."
29. So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah.
30. The sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as at other times.