2. So the people went to Bethel and remained there before God until evening, raising their voices in bitter weeping.
3. They said, “Lord, God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel that today one tribe of Israel should be lacking?”
4. Early the next day the people built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and communion offerings.
5. Then the Israelites asked, “Are there any among all the tribes of Israel who did not come up to the Lord for the assembly?” For there was a solemn oath that anyone who did not go up to the Lord at Mizpah should be put to death.
6. The Israelites were disconsolate over their brother Benjamin and said, “Today one tribe has been cut off from Israel.
7. What can we do about wives for the survivors, since we have sworn by the Lord not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?”
8. And when they asked, “Is there one among the tribes of Israel who did not come up to the Lord in Mizpah?” they found that none of the men of Jabesh-gilead had come to the encampment for the assembly.
9. A roll call of the people was taken, and none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead was present.
10. So the assembly sent twelve thousand warriors there with orders, “Go put the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead to the sword.