1 The men of Israel had taken an oath and made a promise at Mizpah. They had said, "Not one of us will give his daughter to be married to a man from Benjamin."
2 The people went to Bethel. They sat there until evening in the sight of God. They sobbed loudly and bitterly.
3 "Lord, you are the God of Israel," they cried. "Why has this happened to Israel? Why is one tribe missing from Israel today?"
4 Early the next day the people built an altar. They brought burnt offerings and friendship offerings.