Judges 20:18-27

18The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?”

“Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.

19The next morning the Israelites set out and camped near Gibeah. 20And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin and took up their battle positions at Gibeah.

21And the Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down 22,000 Israelites on the battlefield that day.

22But the Israelite army took courage and again took their battle positions in the same place where they had arrayed themselves on the first day. 23They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?”

And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”

24On the second day the Israelites advanced against the Benjamites. 25That same day the Benjamites came out against them from Gibeah and cut down another 18,000 Israelites, all of them armed with swords.

26Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 27And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,