24 When the Israelites drew near to the Benjaminites on the second day,
25 Benjamin marched out of Gibeah against them again and felled eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them swordsmen.
26 So the entire Israelite army went up and entered Bethel, where they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and communion offerings before the Lord.
27 The Israelites consulted the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of the Lord was there in those days,
28 and Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, was standing in his presence in those days), and asked, “Shall I again go out to battle with my brother Benjamin, or shall I stop?” The Lord said: Attack! For tomorrow I will deliver him into your power.
29 So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah.
30 When the Israelites went up against the Benjaminites on the third day, they drew up against Gibeah as on other occasions.