1. All the people of Israel from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, as well as from the land of Gilead in the east, answered the call. They gathered in one body in the Lord's presence at Mizpah.
2. The leaders of all the tribes of Israel were present at this gathering of God's people, and there were 400,000 foot soldiers.
3. Meanwhile the people of Benjamin heard that all the other Israelites had gathered at Mizpah.The Israelites asked, “Tell us, how was this crime committed?”
4. The Levite whose concubine had been murdered answered, “My concubine and I went to Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin to spend the night.
5. The men of Gibeah came to attack me and surrounded the house at night. They intended to kill me; instead they raped my concubine, and she died.
6. I took her body, cut it in pieces, and sent one piece to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. These people have committed an evil and immoral act among us.
7. All of you here are Israelites. What are we going to do about this?”
8. All the people stood up together and said, “None of us, whether he lives in a tent or in a house, will go home.