Judges 20:14-31

14The sons of Benjamin gathered from the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the sons of Israel. 15From the cities on that day the 1sons of Benjamin were 2numbered, 26,000 men who draw the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were 3numbered, 700 choice men. 16Out of all these people 700 4choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

17Then the men of Israel besides Benjamin were 5numbered, 400,000 men who draw the sword; all these were men of war.

18Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and 6inquired 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.”

19So the sons of Israel arose in the morning and camped against Gibeah. 20The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel arrayed for battle against them at Gibeah. 21Then the sons of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and 78felled to the ground on that day 22,000 men of Israel. 22But the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and arrayed for battle again in the place where they had arrayed themselves the first day. 239The sons of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and 10inquired 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.”

24Then the sons of Israel 11came against the sons of Benjamin the second day. 25Benjamin went out 12against them from Gibeah the second day and 13felled to the ground again 18,000 men of the sons of Israel; all these drew the sword. 26Then 14all 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. 27The sons of Israel 15inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, 28and 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, 16for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”

2917So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah. 30The sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as at other times. 3118The sons of Benjamin went out 19against the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike 20and kill some of the people as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel.