Judges 21:1-8

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Benjaminites Saved from Extinction

21 Now the Israelites had sworn at Mizpah, “No one of us shall give his daughter in marriage to Benjamin.”^{(A) 2} And the people came to Bethel and sat there until evening before God, and they lifted up their voices and wept bitterly.^{(B) 3} They said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, why has it come to pass that today there should be one tribe lacking in Israel?” ⁴ On the next day, the people got up early and built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of well-being.^{(C) 5} Then the Israelites said, “Who out of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the assembly to the Lord?” For a solemn oath had been taken concerning whoever did not come up to the Lord to Mizpah, saying, “That one shall be put to death.” ⁶ But the Israelites had compassion for Benjamin their kin and said, “One tribe is cut off from Israel this day. ⁷ What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by the Lord that we will not give them any of our daughters as wives?”^(D)

⁸ Then they said, “Is there anyone from the tribes of Israel who did not come up to the Lord to Mizpah?” It turned out that no one from Jabesh-gilead had come to the camp, to the assembly.