18 The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and asked God, “Who should go up first to wage war against the Benjamites?”The Lord said, “Judah first.”
19 The children of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
20 The men of Israel went out for battle with Benjamin, and the men of Israel lined up for battle at Gibeah.
21 Then the Benjamites came out from Gibeah and struck twenty-two thousand Israelite men down to the ground.
22 The people, the men of Israel, rallied and lined up for battle again in the place where they had lined up on the first day.
23 Then the children of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening. They asked the Lord, “Should we advance and fight our brother-tribesmen the Benjamites again?”The Lord said, “Advance against them.”
24 So the children of Israel advanced against the Benjamites for the second day.