Judges 20:12-23

New International Version

¹² The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you?^{(A) 13} Now turn those wicked men^(B) of Gibeah over to us so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.^(C)”

But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. ¹⁴ From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites. ¹⁵ At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred able young men from those living in Gibeah. ¹⁶ Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed,^(D) each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

¹⁷ Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fit for battle.

¹⁸ The Israelites went up to Bethel^[a](E) and inquired of God.^(F) They said, “Who of us is to go up first^(G) to fight^(H) against the Benjamites?”

The Lord replied, “Judah^(I) shall go first.”

¹⁹ The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. ²⁰ The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. ²¹ The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites^(J) on the battlefield that day. ²² But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. ²³ The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord^(K) until evening,^(L) and they inquired of the Lord.^(M) They said, “Shall we go up again to fight^(N) against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?”

The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”