1
Now the Israelites had sworn at Mizpah, "No one of us shall give his daughter in marriage to Benjamin."
2
And the people came to Bethel, and sat there until evening before God, and they lifted up their voices and wept bitterly.
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.
5
Then the Israelites said, "Which 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?"
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.
9
For when the roll was called among the people, not one of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead was there.
10
So the congregation sent twelve thousand soldiers there and commanded them, "Go, put the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead to the sword, including the women and the little ones.
11
This is what you shall do; every male and every woman that has lain with a male you shall devote to destruction."