16. Out of all these troops there were 700 chosen men that were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17. Meanwhile the men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, numbered 400,000 swordsmen; all men of war.
18. Then Bnei-Yisrael arose, went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They asked, “Who is to go up first to battle for us against the children of Benjamin?” Adonai replied, “Judah first.”
19. So Bnei-Yisrael rose up in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
20. The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and arrayed for battle against Gibeah.
21. But the children of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and struck down 22,000 men of Israel on the field that day.
22. But the people of the men of Israel rallied their strength and arrayed for battle again in the same place where they had arrayed themselves the first day.
23. Yet Bnei-Yisrael went up and wept before Adonai until evening, then inquired of Adonai saying, “Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” Adonai said, “Go up against him.”