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.