13. The whole congregation sent a message of peace to the Benjaminites who were at the rock of Rimmon.
14. Benjamin returned at that time, and Israel gave them the women they had kept alive from Jabesh-gilead. But there were not enough for them.
15. The people had compassion on Benjamin, because the Lord had made this gap in the tribes of Israel.
16. The elders of the congregation said, “What should we do about wives for those who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been destroyed? ”
17. They said, “There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.
18. But we can’t give them our daughters as wives.” For the Israelites had sworn, “Anyone who gives a wife to a Benjaminite is cursed.”