13
Deliver up the men of Gabaa, that have committed this heinous crime, that they may die, and the evil may be taken away out of Israel. But they would not hearken to the proposition of their brethren the children of Israel:
14
But out of all the cities which were of their lot, they gathered themselves together into Gabaa, to aid them, and to fight against the whole people of Israel.
15
And there were found of Benjamin five and twenty thousand men that drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gabaa,
16
Who were seven hundred most valiant men, fighting with the left hand as well as with the right: and slinging stones so sure that they could hit even a hair, and not miss by the stone’s going on either side.
17
Of the men of Israel also, beside the children of Benjamin, were found four hundred thousand that drew swords and were prepared to fight.
18
And they arose and came to the house of God, that is, to Silo: and they consulted God, and said: Who shall be in our army the first to go to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord answered them: Let Juda be your leader.
19
And forthwith the children of Israel rising in the morning, camped by Gabaa:
20
And going out from thence to fight against Benjamin, began to assault the city.
21
And the children of Benjamin coming out of Gabaa slew of the children of Israel that day two and twenty thousand men.
22
Again Israel, trusting in their strength and their number, set their army in array in the same place, where they had fought before:
23
Yet so that they first went up and wept before the Lord until night: and consulted him and said: Shall I go out any more to fight against the children of Benjamin my brethren or not? And he answered them: Go up against them, and join battle.