1. Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah saying, “None of us will give his daughter to Benjamin in marriage.”
2. So the people came to Bethel and sat there till evening before God, and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly.
3. They said, “Adonai God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel, that one tribe should be missing in Israel?”
4. Then it was on the next day that the people rose up early and built an altar there, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.
5. Then Bnei-Yisrael asked, “Who is there among all the tribes of Israel who did not come up to the assembly before Adonai?” For they had made a great oath concerning anyone who did not come up to Adonai at Mizpah saying, “He will surely be put to death.”
6. Now Bnei-Yisrael felt sorry for Benjamin their brother and said, “Today one tribe has been cut off from Israel.
7. What should we do about providing wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by Adonai not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?”
8. Then they inquired, “Which one of the tribes of Israel that did not go up to Adonai at Mizpah?” Then behold, no one had come to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.
9. For when the people were numbered, behold not one of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead was there.