18 The Israelites went to the place of worship at Bethel, and there they asked God, “Which tribe should attack the Benjaminites first?”The Lord answered, “The tribe of Judah.”
19 So the Israelites started out the next morning and made camp near the city of Gibeah.
20 They went to attack the army of Benjamin, and placed the soldiers in position facing the city.
21 The army of Benjamin came out of the city, and before the day was over they had killed 22,000 Israelite soldiers.
22-23 Then the Israelites went to the place of worship and mourned in the presence of the Lord until evening. They asked him, “Should we go again into battle against our brothers the Benjaminites?”The Lord answered, “Yes.”So the Israelite army was encouraged, and they placed their soldiers in the same position as they had been the day before.
24 They marched against the army of Benjamin a second time.
25 And for the second time the Benjaminites came out of Gibeah, and this time they killed 18,000 trained Israelite soldiers.