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

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

²³ The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord^(A) until evening,^(B) and they inquired of the Lord.^(C) They said, “Shall we go up again to fight^(D) against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?”

The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”

²⁸ with Phinehas son of Eleazar,^(A) the son of Aaron, ministering before it.)^(B) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

The Lord responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.^(C)”

¹⁵ The people grieved for Benjamin,^(A) because the Lord had made a gap in the tribes of Israel.