10. We’ll take one-tenth of all the men from the tribes of Israel to get supplies for the troops. When the troops go to Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin they can punish the citizens of Gibeah for the godless thing they did in Israel.”
11. So all the men of Israel assembled. They stood united against the city.
12. The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin. They asked, “How could such an evil thing happen among you?
13. Now hand over those worthless men in Gibeah. We must put them to death to rid ourselves of this kind of evil in Israel.”But the men of Benjamin refused to listen to the men of Israel.
14. So the men of Benjamin went from their towns and assembled at Gibeah to go to war with the men of Israel.
15. That day 26,000 men armed with swords came from Benjamin’s cities and organized for battle along with 700 of Gibeah’s best men.
16. Out of all these troops, the best 700 were left-handed. Each could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17. The men of Israel (Benjamin not included) totaled 400,000 soldiers armed with swords.
18. The men of Israel went to Bethel. They asked God, “Who will go first to fight Benjamin?”The Lord answered, “Judah will go first.”
19. The Israelites got up early in the morning and camped at Gibeah.
20. So the men of Israel went to war with the men of Benjamin. The Israelites formed their battle line facing Gibeah.
21. That day the men of Benjamin came out from Gibeah. They slaughtered 22,000 of Israel’s men.
22. But Israel’s troops got reinforcements. They formed their battle line where they had formed it on the first day.