1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah saying, “None of us will give his daughter to Benjamin in marriage.”
2 So the people came to Bethel and sat there till evening before God, and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly.
3 They said, “Adonai God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel, that one tribe should be missing in Israel?”
4 Then it was on the next day that the people rose up early and built an altar there, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.
5 Then Bnei-Yisrael asked, “Who is there among all the tribes of Israel who did not come up to the assembly before Adonai?” For they had made a great oath concerning anyone who did not come up to Adonai at Mizpah saying, “He will surely be put to death.”
6 Now Bnei-Yisrael felt sorry for Benjamin their brother and said, “Today one tribe has been cut off from Israel.
7 What should we do about providing wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by Adonai not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?”