1. The Israelites had vowed at Mizpah, “We will never give our daughters in marriage to a man from the tribe of Benjamin.”
2. Now the people went to Bethel and sat in the presence of God until evening, weeping loudly and bitterly.
3. “O lord, God of Israel,” they cried out, “why has this happened in Israel? Now one of our tribes is missing from Israel!”
4. Early the next morning the people built an altar and presented their burnt offerings and peace offerings on it.
5. Then they said, “Who among the tribes of Israel did not join us at Mizpah when we held our assembly in the presence of the lord?” At that time they had taken a solemn oath in the lord’s presence, vowing that anyone who refused to come would be put to death.
6. The Israelites felt sorry for their brother Benjamin and said, “Today one of the tribes of Israel has been cut off.