Judges 20:18-28

18Before the battle the Israelites went to Bethel and asked God, “Which tribe should go first to attack the people of Benjamin?” The Lord answered, “Judah is to go first.”

19So the Israelites left early the next morning and camped near Gibeah.

20Then they advanced toward Gibeah to attack the men of Benjamin.

21But Benjamin’s warriors, who were defending the town, came out and killed 22,000 Israelites on the battlefield that day.

22But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day.

23For they had gone up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the Lord until evening. They had asked the Lord, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again?” And the Lord had said, “Go out and fight against them.”

24So the next day they went out again to fight against the men of Benjamin,

25but the men of Benjamin killed another 18,000 Israelites, all of whom were experienced with the sword.

26Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the Lord and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.

27The Israelites went up seeking direction from the Lord. (In those days the Ark of the Covenant of God was in Bethel,

28and Phinehas son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron was the priest.) The Israelites asked the Lord, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again, or should we stop?” The Lord said, “Go! Tomorrow I will hand them over to you.”