²⁹ When he reached home, he took a knife^(A) and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel.^(B)

⁷ He took a pair of oxen,^(A) cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel,^(B) proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone^(C) who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one.^(D)

⁶ I took my concubine, cut her into pieces and sent one piece to each region of Israel’s inheritance,^(A) because they committed this lewd and outrageous act^(B) in Israel. ⁷ Now, all you Israelites, speak up and tell me what you have decided to do.^(C)”

² For I can testify about them that they are zealous^(A) for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

Various Laws

²² If someone guilty of a capital offense^(A) is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, ²³ you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight.^(B) Be sure to bury^(C) it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.^(D) You must not desecrate^(E) the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.