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.
23. The Israelites went and cried in the presence of the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord, “Should we continue to wage war against our close relatives, the men of Benjamin?”The Lord answered, “Go fight them!”
24. On the second day the Israelite troops advanced against Benjamin.