12. The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “How could such a wicked thing take place?
13. Now, hand over the good-for-nothings in Gibeah so we can execute them and purge Israel of wickedness.” But the Benjaminites refused to listen to their Israelite brothers.
14. The Benjaminites came from their cities and assembled at Gibeah to make war against the Israelites.
15. That day the Benjaminites mustered from their cities twenty-six thousand sword-wielding soldiers, besides seven hundred well-trained soldiers from Gibeah.
16. Among this army were seven hundred specially-trained left-handed soldiers. Each one could sling a stone and hit even the smallest target.
17. The men of Israel (not counting Benjamin) had mustered four hundred thousand sword-wielding soldiers, every one an experienced warrior.
18. The Israelites went up to Bethel and asked God, “Who should lead the charge against the Benjaminites?” The Lord said, “Judah should lead.”
19. The Israelites got up the next morning and moved against Gibeah.
20. The men of Israel marched out to fight Benjamin; they arranged their battle lines against Gibeah.
21. The Benjaminites attacked from Gibeah and struck down twenty-two thousand Israelites that day.
22. The Israelite army took heart and once more arranged their battle lines, in the same place where they had taken their positions the day before.