1 Then all the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} went out{H3318}{(H8799)}, and the congregation{H5712} was gathered together{H6950}{(H8735)} as one{H259} man{H376}, from Dan{H1835} even to Beersheba{H884}, with the land{H776} of Gilead{H1568}, unto the LORD{H3068} in Mizpeh{H4709}.

2 And the chief{H6438} of all the people{H5971}, even of all the tribes{H7626} of Israel{H3478}, presented{H3320}{(H8691)} themselves in the assembly{H6951} of the people{H5971} of God{H430}, four{H702} hundred{H3967} thousand{H505} footmen{H376}{H7273} that drew{H8025}{(H8802)} sword{H2719}.

3 (Now the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} heard{H8085}{(H8799)} that the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} were gone up{H5927}{(H8804)} to Mizpeh{H4709}.) Then said{H559}{(H8799)} the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, Tell{H1696}{(H8761)} us, how was{H1961}{(H8738)} this wickedness{H7451}?

4 And the Levite{H3881}{H376}, the husband{H376} of the woman{H802} that was slain{H7523}{(H8737)}, answered{H6030}{(H8799)} and said{H559}{(H8799)}, I came{H935}{(H8804)} into Gibeah{H1390} that belongeth to Benjamin{H1144}, I and my concubine{H6370}, to lodge{H3885}{(H8800)}.

5 And the men{H1167} of Gibeah{H1390} rose{H6965}{(H8799)} against me, and beset{H5437} the house{H1004} round about{H5437}{(H8799)} upon me by night{H3915}, and thought{H1819}{(H8765)} to have slain{H2026}{(H8800)} me: and my concubine{H6370} have they forced{H6031}{(H8765)}, that she is dead{H4191}{(H8799)}.

6 And I took{H270}{(H8799)} my concubine{H6370}, and cut her in pieces{H5408}{(H8762)}, and sent{H7971}{(H8762)} her throughout all the country{H7704} of the inheritance{H5159} of Israel{H3478}: for they have committed{H6213}{(H8804)} lewdness{H2154} and folly{H5039} in Israel{H3478}.

7 Behold, ye are all children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}; give{H3051}{(H8798)} here{H1988} your advice{H1697} and counsel{H6098}.

8 And all the people{H5971} arose{H6965}{(H8799)} as one{H259} man{H376}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, We will not any{H376} of us go{H3212}{(H8799)} to his tent{H168}, neither will we any{H376} of us turn{H5493}{(H8799)} into his house{H1004}.

9 But now this shall be the thing{H1697} which we will do{H6213}{(H8799)} to Gibeah{H1390}; we will go up by lot{H1486} against it;

10 And we will take{H3947}{(H8804)} ten{H6235} men{H582} of an hundred{H3967} throughout all the tribes{H7626} of Israel{H3478}, and an hundred{H3967} of a thousand{H505}, and a thousand{H505} out of ten thousand{H7233}, to fetch{H3947}{(H8800)} victual{H6720} for the people{H5971}, that they may do{H6213}{(H8800)}, when they come{H935}{(H8800)} to Gibeah{H1387} of Benjamin{H1144}, according to all the folly{H5039} that they have wrought{H6213}{(H8804)} in Israel{H3478}.

11 So all the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} were gathered{H622}{(H8735)} against the city{H5892}, knit together{H2270} as one{H259} man{H376}.

12 And the tribes{H7626} of Israel{H3478} sent{H7971}{(H8799)} men{H582} through all the tribe{H7626} of Benjamin{H1144}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, What wickedness{H7451} is this that is done{H1961}{(H8738)} among you?

13 Now therefore deliver{H5414}{(H8798)} us the men{H582}, the children{H1121} of Belial{H1100}, which are in Gibeah{H1390}, that we may put them to death{H4191}{(H8686)}, and put away{H1197}{(H8762)} evil{H7451} from Israel{H3478}. But the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} would{H14}{(H8804)} not hearken{H8085}{(H8800)} to the voice{H6963} of their brethren{H251} the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}:

14 But the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} gathered themselves together{H622}{(H8735)} out of the cities{H5892} unto Gibeah{H1390}, to go out{H3318}{(H8800)} to battle{H4421} against the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}.

15 And the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} were numbered{H6485}{(H8691)} at that time{H3117} out of the cities{H5892} twenty{H6242} and six{H8337} thousand{H505} men{H376} that drew{H8025}{(H8802)} sword{H2719}, beside the inhabitants{H3427}{(H8802)} of Gibeah{H1390}, which were numbered{H6485}{(H8694)} seven{H7651} hundred{H3967} chosen{H977}{(H8803)} men{H376}.

16 Among all this people{H5971} there were seven{H7651} hundred{H3967} chosen{H977}{(H8803)} men{H376} lefthanded{H334}{H3027}{H3225}; every one could sling{H7049}{(H8802)} stones{H68} at an hair{H8185} breadth, and not miss{H2398}{(H8686)}.

17 And the men{H376} of Israel{H3478}, beside Benjamin{H1144}, were numbered{H6485}{(H8694)} four{H702} hundred{H3967} thousand{H505} men{H376} that drew{H8025}{(H8802)} sword{H2719}: all these were men{H376} of war{H4421}.

18 And the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} arose{H6965}{(H8799)}, and went up{H5927}{(H8799)} to the house{H1004} of God{H430}{(H8677)}{H1008}, and asked{H7592}{(H8799)} counsel of God{H430}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, Which{H4310} of us shall go up{H5927}{(H8799)} first{H8462} to the battle{H4421} against the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144}? And the LORD{H3068} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Judah{H3063} shall go up first{H8462}.

19 And the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} rose up{H6965}{(H8799)} in the morning{H1242}, and encamped{H2583}{(H8799)} against Gibeah{H1390}.

20 And the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} went out{H3318}{(H8799)} to battle{H4421} against Benjamin{H1144}; and the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} put themselves in array{H6186}{(H8799)} to fight{H4421} against them at Gibeah{H1390}.

21 And the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} came forth{H3318}{(H8799)} out of Gibeah{H1390}, and destroyed down{H7843}{(H8686)} to the ground{H776} of the Israelites{H3478} that day{H3117} twenty{H6242} and two{H8147} thousand{H505} men{H376}.

22 And the people{H5971} the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} encouraged{H2388}{(H8691)} themselves, and set their battle{H4421} again{H3254}{(H8686)} in array{H6186}{(H8800)} in the place{H4725} where they put themselves in array{H6186}{(H8804)} the first{H7223} day{H3117}.

23 (And the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} went up{H5927}{(H8799)} and wept{H1058}{(H8799)} before{H6440} the LORD{H3068} until even{H6153}, and asked{H7592}{(H8799)} counsel of the LORD{H3068}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Shall I go up{H5066}{(H8800)} again{H3254}{(H8686)} to battle{H4421} against the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} my brother{H251}? And the LORD{H3068} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Go up{H5927}{(H8798)} against him.)

24 And the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} came near{H7126}{(H8799)} against the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} the second{H8145} day{H3117}.

25 And Benjamin{H1144} went forth{H3318}{(H8799)} against{H7125}{(H8800)} them out of Gibeah{H1390} the second{H8145} day{H3117}, and destroyed down{H7843}{(H8686)} to the ground{H776} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} again eighteen{H8083}{H6240} thousand{H505} men{H376}; all these drew{H8025}{(H8802)} the sword{H2719}.

26 Then all the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, and all the people{H5971}, went up{H5927}{(H8799)}, and came{H935}{(H8799)} unto the house{H1004} of God{H430}{(H8677)}{H1008}, and wept{H1058}{(H8799)}, and sat{H3427}{(H8799)} there before{H6440} the LORD{H3068}, and fasted{H6684}{(H8799)} that day{H3117} until even{H6153}, and offered{H5927}{(H8686)} burnt offerings{H5930} and peace offerings{H8002} before{H6440} the LORD{H3068}.

27 And the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} enquired{H7592}{(H8799)} of the LORD{H3068},(for the ark{H727} of the covenant{H1285} of God{H430} was there in those days{H3117},

28 And Phinehas{H6372}, the son{H1121} of Eleazar{H499}, the son{H1121} of Aaron{H175}, stood{H5975}{(H8802)} before{H6440} it in those days{H3117},) saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Shall I yet again{H3254}{(H8686)} go out{H3318}{(H8800)} to battle{H4421} against the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} my brother{H251}, or shall I cease{H2308}{(H8799)}? And the LORD{H3068} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Go up{H5927}{(H8798)}; for to morrow{H4279} I will deliver{H5414}{(H8799)} them into thine hand{H3027}.

29 And Israel{H3478} set{H7760}{(H8799)} liers in wait{H693}{(H8802)} round about{H5439} Gibeah{H1390}.

30 And the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} went up{H5927}{(H8799)} against the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} on the third{H7992} day{H3117}, and put themselves in array{H6186}{(H8799)} against Gibeah{H1390}, as at other times{H6471}.

31 And the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} went out{H3318}{(H8799)} against{H7125}{(H8800)} the people{H5971}, and were drawn away{H5423}{(H8717)} from the city{H5892}; and they began{H2490}{(H8686)} to smite{H5221}{(H8687)} of the people{H5971}, and kill{H2491}, as at other times{H6471}, in the highways{H4546}, of which one{H259} goeth up{H5927}{(H8802)} to the house{H1004} of God{H430}{(H8677)}{H1008}, and the other{H259} to Gibeah{H1390} in the field{H7704}, about thirty{H7970} men{H376} of Israel{H3478}.

32 And the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} said{H559}{(H8799)}, They are smitten down{H5062}{(H8737)} before{H6440} us, as at the first{H7223}. But the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} said{H559}{(H8804)}, Let us flee{H5127}{(H8799)}, and draw{H5423}{(H8804)} them from the city{H5892} unto the highways{H4546}.

33 And all the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} rose up{H6965}{(H8804)} out of their place{H4725}, and put themselves in array{H6186}{(H8799)} at Baaltamar{H1193}: and the liers in wait{H693}{(H8802)} of Israel{H3478} came forth{H1518}{(H8688)} out of their places{H4725}, even out of the meadows{H4629} of Gibeah{H1387}.

34 And there came{H935}{(H8799)} against{H5048} Gibeah{H1390} ten{H6235} thousand{H505} chosen{H977}{(H8803)} men{H376} out of all Israel{H3478}, and the battle{H4421} was sore{H3513}{(H8804)}: but they knew{H3045}{(H8804)} not that evil{H7451} was near{H5060}{(H8802)} them.

35 And the LORD{H3068} smote{H5062}{(H8799)} Benjamin{H1144} before{H6440} Israel{H3478}: and the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} destroyed{H7843}{(H8686)} of the Benjamites{H1145} that day{H3117} twenty{H6242} and five{H2568} thousand{H505} and an hundred{H3967} men{H376}: all these drew{H8025}{(H8802)} the sword{H2719}.

36 So the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144} saw{H7200}{(H8799)} that they were smitten{H5062}{(H8738)}: for the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} gave{H5414}{(H8799)} place{H4725} to the Benjamites{H1145}, because they trusted{H982}{(H8804)} unto the liers in wait{H693}{(H8802)} which they had set{H7760}{(H8804)} beside Gibeah{H1390}.

37 And the liers in wait{H693}{(H8802)} hasted{H2363}{(H8689)}, and rushed{H6584}{(H8799)} upon Gibeah{H1390}; and the liers in wait{H693}{(H8802)} drew themselves along{H4900}{(H8799)}, and smote{H5221}{(H8686)} all the city{H5892} with the edge{H6310} of the sword{H2719}.

38 Now there was an appointed sign{H4150} between the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} and{H5973} the liers in wait{H693}{(H8802)}, that they should make a great{H7235}{(H8685)} flame{H4864} with smoke{H6227} rise up{H5927}{(H8687)} out of the city{H5892}.

39 And when the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} retired{H2015}{(H8799)} in the battle{H4421}, Benjamin{H1144} began{H2490}{(H8689)} to smite{H5221}{(H8687)} and kill{H2491} of the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} about thirty{H7970} persons{H376}: for they said{H559}{(H8804)}, Surely{H5062}{(H8736)} they are smitten down{H5062}{(H8737)} before{H6440} us, as in the first{H7223} battle{H4421}.

40 But when the flame{H4864} began{H2490}{(H8689)} to arise up{H5927}{(H8800)} out of the city{H5892} with a pillar{H5982} of smoke{H6227}, the Benjamites{H1145} looked{H6437}{(H8799)} behind{H310} them, and, behold, the flame{H3632} of the city{H5892} ascended up{H5927}{(H8804)} to heaven{H8064}.

41 And when the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} turned again{H2015}{(H8804)}, the men{H376} of Benjamin{H1144} were amazed{H926}{(H8735)}: for they saw{H7200}{(H8804)} that evil{H7451} was come{H5060}{(H8804)} upon them.

42 Therefore they turned{H6437}{(H8799)} their backs before{H6440} the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} unto the way{H1870} of the wilderness{H4057}; but the battle{H4421} overtook{H1692}{(H8689)} them; and them which came out of the cities{H5892} they destroyed{H7843}{(H8688)} in the midst{H8432} of them.

43 Thus they inclosed{H3803}{(H8765)} the Benjamites{H1145} round about{H3803}{(H8765)}, and chased{H7291}{(H8689)} them, and trode them down{H1869}{(H8689)} with ease{H4496} over against{H5227} Gibeah{H1390} toward the sunrising{H4217}{H8121}.

44 And there fell{H5307}{(H8799)} of Benjamin{H1144} eighteen{H8083}{H6240} thousand{H505} men{H376}; all these were men{H582} of valour{H2428}.

45 And they turned{H6437}{(H8799)} and fled{H5127}{(H8799)} toward the wilderness{H4057} unto the rock{H5553} of Rimmon{H7417}: and they gleaned{H5953}{(H8779)} of them in the highways{H4546} five{H2568} thousand{H505} men{H376}; and pursued{H1692}{(H8686)} hard after{H310} them unto Gidom{H1440}, and slew{H5221}{(H8686)} two thousand{H505} men{H376} of them.

46 So that all which fell{H5307}{(H8802)} that day{H3117} of Benjamin{H1144} were twenty{H6242} and five{H2568} thousand{H505} men{H376} that drew{H8025}{(H8802)} the sword{H2719}; all these were men{H582} of valour{H2428}.

47 But six{H8337} hundred{H3967} men{H376} turned{H6437}{(H8799)} and fled{H5127}{(H8799)} to the wilderness{H4057} unto the rock{H5553} Rimmon{H7417}, and abode{H3427}{(H8799)} in the rock{H5553} Rimmon{H7417} four{H702} months{H2320}.

48 And the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} turned again{H7725}{(H8804)} upon the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144}, and smote{H5221}{(H8686)} them with the edge{H6310} of the sword{H2719}, as well the men{H4974} of every city{H5892}, as{H5704} the beast{H929}, and all that came to hand{H4672}{(H8737)}: also they set{H7971}{(H8765)} on fire{H784} all the cities{H5892} that they came to{H4672}{(H8737)}.