1. Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter to the Benjaminites as wife.
2. And the people came to Bethel, and abode there till even before God and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly,
3. and said, Jehovah, God of Israel, why is it come to pass in Israel, that there should be this day one tribe lacking in Israel?
4. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered up burnt-offerings and peace-offerings.
5. And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation to Jehovah? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to Jehovah to Mizpah, saying, He shall certainly be put to death.
6. And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, To-day is one tribe extirpated from Israel.
7. What shall we do for wives for them that remain? since we have sworn by Jehovah that we will not give them of our daughters for wives.