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."
12
And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins who had never slept with a man and brought them to the camp at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.
13
Then the whole congregation sent word to the Benjaminites who were at the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace to them.
14
Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead; but they did not suffice for them.
15
The people had compassion on Benjamin because the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
16
So the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since there are no women left in Benjamin?"
17
And they said, "There must be heirs for the survivors of Benjamin, in order that a tribe may not be blotted out from Israel.
18
Yet we cannot give any of our daughters to them as wives." For the Israelites had sworn, "Cursed be anyone who gives a wife to Benjamin."
19
So they said, "Look, the yearly festival of the Lord is taking place at Shiloh, which is north of Bethel, on the east of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."