Judges 20:14-31

14So the children of Benjamin were gathered from their towns to Gibeah, to go out to battle against Bnei-Yisrael.

15On that day the children of Benjamin mustered 26,000 swordsmen from the towns, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who numbered 700 chosen men.

16Out of all these troops there were 700 chosen men that were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

17Meanwhile the men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, numbered 400,000 swordsmen; all men of war.

18Then Bnei-Yisrael arose, went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They asked, “Who is to go up first to battle for us against the children of Benjamin?” Adonai replied, “Judah first.”

19So Bnei-Yisrael rose up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.

20The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and arrayed for battle against Gibeah.

21But the children of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and struck down 22,000 men of Israel on the field that day.

22But the people of the men of Israel rallied their strength and arrayed for battle again in the same place where they had arrayed themselves the first day.

23Yet Bnei-Yisrael went up and wept before Adonai until evening, then inquired of Adonai saying, “Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” Adonai said, “Go up against him.”

24So Bnei-Yisrael advanced against the children of Benjamin on the second day.

25Benjamin came out against them from Gibeah again the second day and struck down 18,000 of Bnei-Yisrael on the field—all drawing the sword.

26Then all Bnei-Yisrael went up, and all the people came to Bethel and wept and sat there before Adonai. They fasted that day until evening and they offered burnt-offerings and fellowship offerings before Adonai.

27Then Bnei-Yisrael inquired of Adonai (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

28and Pinchas son of Eleazar son of Aaron had ministered before it in those days) saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or should I cease?” Adonai replied, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give him into your hand.”

29So Israel set men in ambush against Gibeah on all sides.

30Then Bnei-Yisrael advanced against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and arrayed against Gibeah, as at other times.

31The children of Benjamin came out against the people, but they were drawn away from the town, and they began to strike and kill some of the people (about 30 men of Israel), as at other times, on the highways, of which one goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.