Jueces 20
Bible Darby
1Et tous les fils d’Israël sortirent, depuis Dan jusqu’à Beër-Shéba, et le pays de Galaad ; et l’assemblée se réunit comme un seul homme, vers l’Éternel, à Mitspa.
2Et les principaux de tout le peuple, toutes les tribus d’Israël, se présentèrent dans la congrégation du peuple de Dieu, 400 000 hommes de pied, tirant l’épée.
3Et les fils de Benjamin apprirent que les fils d’Israël étaient montés à Mitspa. Et les fils d’Israël dirent : Dites comment ce mal est arrivé.
4Et le Lévite, le mari de la femme tuée, répondit et dit : J’étais venu à Guibha, qui est à Benjamin, moi et ma concubine, pour passer la nuit ;
5et les hommes de Guibha se levèrent contre moi, et entourèrent de nuit la maison, à cause de moi ; ils avaient l’intention de me tuer, et ils ont humilié ma concubine, et elle est morte.
6Et j’ai saisi ma concubine et je l’ai coupée en morceaux, et je l’ai envoyée dans toutes les campagnes de l’héritage d’Israël ; car ils ont commis une énormité et une infamie en Israël.
7Voici, vous tous, fils d’Israël, délibérez, et donnez ici [votre] avis.
8Et tout le peuple se leva comme un seul homme, disant : Aucun de nous n’ira à sa tente, et aucun de nous ne se retirera dans sa maison ;
9et maintenant, voici ce que nous ferons à Guibha : nous la traiterons selon ce que le sort décidera ;
10et nous prendrons 10 hommes sur 100, de toutes les tribus d’Israël, et 100 sur 1 000, et 1 000 sur 10 000, qui prendront des provisions pour le peuple, afin que, à leur arrivée, on traite Guibha de Benjamin selon toute l’infamie qu’elle a commise en Israël.
11Et tous les hommes d’Israël se rassemblèrent contre la ville, unis comme un seul homme.
12Et les tribus d’Israël envoyèrent des hommes dans toutes les familles de Benjamin, disant : Quel est ce mal qui est arrivé au milieu de vous ?
13Et maintenant, livrez-nous ces hommes, fils de Bélial, qui sont à Guibha, afin que nous les fassions mourir et que nous ôtions le mal du milieu d’Israël. Mais [les fils de] Benjamin ne voulurent pas écouter la voix de leurs frères, les fils d’Israël ;
14et les fils de Benjamin se rassemblèrent de leurs villes à Guibha, pour sortir en guerre contre les fils d’Israël.
15Et en ce jour-là furent dénombrés les fils de Benjamin qui vinrent de leurs villes : 26 000 hommes tirant l’épée, sans les habitants de Guibha, qui furent dénombrés : 700 hommes d’élite.
16De tout ce peuple, il y avait 700 hommes d’élite qui étaient gauchers ; tous ceux-là lançaient avec la fronde une pierre contre un cheveu, et ne manquaient pas.
17Et les hommes d’Israël furent dénombrés, sauf Benjamin : 400 000 hommes tirant l’épée, tous gens de guerre.
18Et les fils d’Israël se levèrent, et montèrent à Béthel, et interrogèrent Dieu, et dirent : Qui de nous montera le premier pour livrer bataille aux fils de Benjamin ? Et l’Éternel dit : Juda, le premier.
19Et les fils d’Israël se levèrent le matin, et campèrent contre Guibha.
20Et les hommes d’Israël sortirent en guerre contre Benjamin, et les hommes d’Israël se rangèrent en bataille contre eux devant Guibha.
21Et les fils de Benjamin sortirent de Guibha ; et en ce jour-là ils étendirent morts par terre 22 000 hommes de ceux d’Israël.
22Et le peuple, les hommes d’Israël, se fortifièrent, et se rangèrent de nouveau en bataille dans le lieu où ils s’étaient rangés le premier jour.
23Et les fils d’Israël montèrent, et ils pleurèrent devant l’Éternel jusqu’au soir, et ils interrogèrent l’Éternel, disant : M’approcherai-je de nouveau pour livrer bataille aux fils de Benjamin, mon frère ? Et l’Éternel dit : Montez contre lui.
24Et les fils d’Israël s’avancèrent contre les fils de Benjamin, le second jour ;
25et Benjamin sortit contre eux de Guibha, le second jour ; et de nouveau ils étendirent morts par terre 18 000 hommes des fils d’Israël, tous tirant l’épée.
26Et tous les fils d’Israël et tout le peuple montèrent et vinrent à Béthel, et pleurèrent et demeurèrent là devant l’Éternel, et jeûnèrent ce jour-là jusqu’au soir ; et ils offrirent des holocaustes et des sacrifices de prospérités devant l’Éternel.
27Et les fils d’Israël interrogèrent l’Éternel (et l’arche de l’alliance de Dieu était là, en ces jours ;
28et Phinées, fils d’Éléazar, fils d’Aaron, se tenait devant elle, en ces jours), et ils dirent : Sortirai-je encore de nouveau pour livrer bataille aux fils de Benjamin, mon frère, ou cesserai-je ? Et l’Éternel dit : Montez ; car demain je les livrerai en ta main.
29Et Israël plaça des embuscades contre Guibha, tout autour.
30Et les fils d’Israël montèrent, le troisième jour, contre les fils de Benjamin ; et ils se rangèrent contre Guibha, comme les autres fois.
31Et les fils de Benjamin sortirent à la rencontre du peuple ; ils furent attirés loin de la ville, et commencèrent à frapper quelques-uns du peuple, qui furent tués comme les autres fois, environ 30 hommes d’Israël, sur les routes, dont l’une monte à Béthel, et l’autre à Guibha, par la campagne.
32Et les fils de Benjamin dirent : Ils sont battus devant nous comme la première fois. Et les fils d’Israël dirent : Fuyons, et nous les attirerons loin de la ville, sur les routes.
33Et tous les hommes d’Israël se levèrent de leur lieu, et se rangèrent à Baal-Thamar ; et l’embuscade d’Israël s’élança de son lieu, de la prairie de Guibha.
34Et 10 000 hommes d’élite de tout Israël vinrent contre Guibha, et la bataille fut rude ; et ceux [de Benjamin] ne savaient pas que le mal les atteignait.
35Et l’Éternel battit Benjamin devant Israël, et les fils d’Israël étendirent morts en ce jour-là 25 100 hommes de Benjamin, tous tirant l’épée.
36Et les fils de Benjamin virent qu’ils étaient battus. – Or les hommes d’Israël firent place à ceux de Benjamin, car ils se confiaient en l’embuscade qu’ils avaient placée contre Guibha.
37Et l’embuscade se hâta, et se jeta sur Guibha ; et l’embuscade se porta en avant, et frappa toute la ville par le tranchant de l’épée.
38Et le signal convenu entre les hommes d’Israël et l’embuscade était qu’ils fassent monter de la ville une épaisse colonne de fumée.
39Et les hommes d’Israël avaient tourné visage dans la bataille, et Benjamin avait commencé de frapper à mort une trentaine d’hommes parmi les hommes d’Israël, car ils disaient : Certainement il est complètement battu devant nous comme dans la première bataille.
40Et quand l’incendie commença à monter de la ville comme une colonne de fumée, Benjamin se tourna en arrière, et voici, toute la ville montait [en fumée] vers les cieux.
41Et les hommes d’Israël tournèrent visage : et les hommes de Benjamin furent épouvantés ; car ils virent que le mal les avait atteints.
42Et ils tournèrent le dos devant les hommes d’Israël, vers le chemin du désert, et la bataille les serra de près. Et ceux qui sortirent des villes les détruisirent au milieu d’eux.
43Ils environnèrent Benjamin, le poursuivirent, le foulèrent aux pieds là où il voulait se reposer, jusque vis-à-vis de Guibha, vers le soleil levant.
44Et il tomba de Benjamin 18 000 hommes, tous hommes vaillants.
45Et ils tournèrent le dos, et s’enfuirent au désert, vers le rocher de Rimmon ; et [les Israélites] en grappillèrent sur les routes 5 000 hommes, et ils les serrèrent de près en les poursuivant jusqu’à Guidhom, et en frappèrent 2 000 hommes.
46Et tous ceux de Benjamin qui tombèrent en ce jour-là, furent 25 000 hommes tirant l’épée, tous hommes vaillants.
47Et 600 hommes tournèrent le dos et s’enfuirent au désert, vers le rocher de Rimmon, et ils demeurèrent au rocher de Rimmon quatre mois.
48Et les hommes d’Israël retournèrent vers les fils de Benjamin et les frappèrent par le tranchant de l’épée, et les hommes de chaque ville, et les bêtes, et tout ce qui fut trouvé ; même toutes les villes qu’ils rencontrèrent, ils les livrèrent au feu.
Reina-Valera 1909
1ENTONCES salieron todos los hijos de Israel, y reunióse la congregación como un solo hombre, desde Dan hasta Beer-seba y la tierra de Galaad, á Jehová en Mizpa.
2Y los principales de todo el pueblo, de todas las tribus de Israel, se hallaron presentes en la reunión del pueblo de Dios, cuatrocientos mil hombres de á pie que sacaban espada.
3Y los hijos de Benjamín oyeron que los hijos de Israel habían subido á Mizpa. Y dijeron los hijos de Israel: Decid cómo fué esta maldad.
4Entonces el varón Levita, marido de la mujer muerta, respondió y dijo: Yo llegué á Gabaa de Benjamín con mi concubina, para tener allí la noche.
5Y levantándose contra mí los de Gabaa, cercaron sobre mí la casa de noche, con idea de matarme, y oprimieron mi concubina de tal manera, que ella fué muerta.
6Entonces tomando yo mi concubina, cortéla en piezas, y enviélas por todo el término de la posesión de Israel: por cuanto han hecho maldad y crimen en Israel.
7He aquí que todos vosotros los hijos de Israel estáis presentes; daos aquí parecer y consejo.
8Entonces todo el pueblo, como un solo hombre, se levantó, y dijeron: Ninguno de nosotros irá á su tienda, ni nos apartaremos cada uno á su casa,
9Hasta que hagamos esto sobre Gabaa: que echemos suertes contra ella;
10Y tomaremos diez hombres de cada ciento por todas las tribus de Israel, y de cada mil ciento, y mil de cada diez mil, que lleven bastimento para el pueblo que ha de hacer, yendo contra Gabaa de Benjamín, conforme á toda la abominación que ha cometido en Israel.
11Y juntáronse todos los hombres de Israel contra la ciudad, ligados como un solo hombre.
12Y las tribus de Israel enviaron varones por toda la tribu de Benjamín, diciendo: ¿Qué maldad es ésta que ha sido hecha entre vosotros?
13Entregad pues ahora aquellos hombres, hijos de Belial, que están en Gabaa, para que los matemos, y barramos el mal de Israel. Mas los de Benjamín no quisieron oir la voz de sus hermanos los hijos de Israel;
14Antes los de Benjamín se juntaron de las ciudades de Gabaa, para salir á pelear contra los hijos de Israel.
15Y fueron contados en aquel tiempo los hijos de Benjamín de las ciudades, veintiséis mil hombres que sacaban espada, sin los que moraban en Gabaa, que fueron por cuenta setecientos hombres escogidos.
16De toda aquella gente había setecientos hombres escogidos, que eran ambidextros, todos los cuales tiraban una piedra con la honda á un cabello, y no erraban.
17Y fueron contados los varones de Israel, fuera de Benjamín, cuatrocientos mil hombres que sacaban espada, todos estos hombres de guerra.
18Levantáronse luego los hijos de Israel, y subieron á la casa de Dios, y consultaron á Dios, diciendo: ¿Quién subirá de nosotros el primero en la guerra contra los hijos de Benjamín? Y Jehová respondió: Judá el primero.
19Levantándose pues de mañana los hijos de Israel, pusieron campo contra Gabaa.
20Y salieron los hijos de Israel á combatir contra Benjamín; y los varones de Israel ordenaron la batalla contra ellos junto á Gabaa.
21Saliendo entonces de Gabaa los hijos de Benjamín, derribaron en tierra aquel día veintidós mil hombres de los hijos de Israel.
22Mas reanimándose el pueblo, los varones de Israel tornaron á ordenar la batalla en el mismo lugar donde la habían ordenado el primer día.
23Porque los hijos de Israel subieron, y lloraron delante de Jehová hasta la tarde, y consultaron con Jehová, diciendo: ¿Tornaré á pelear con los hijos de Benjamín mi hermano? Y Jehová les respondió: Subid contra él.
24Los hijos pues de Israel se acercaron el siguiente día á los hijos de Benjamín.
25Y aquel segundo día, saliendo Benjamín de Gabaa contra ellos, derribaron por tierra otros diez y ocho mil hombres de los hijos de Israel, todos los cuales sacaban espada.
26Entonces subieron todos los hijos de Israel, y todo el pueblo, y vinieron á la casa de Dios; y lloraron, y sentáronse allí delante de Jehová, y ayunaron aquel día hasta la tarde; y sacrificaron holocaustos y pacíficos delante de Jehová.
27Y los hijos de Israel preguntaron á Jehová, (porque el arca del pacto de Dios estaba allí en aquellos días,
28Y Phinees, hijo de Eleazar, hijo de Aarón, se presentaba delante de ella en aquellos días,) y dijeron: ¿Tornaré á salir en batalla contra los hijos de Benjamín mi hermano, ó estaréme quedo? Y Jehová dijo: Subid, que mañana yo lo entregaré en tu mano.
29Y puso Israel emboscadas alrededor de Gabaa.
30Subiendo entonces los hijos de Israel contra los hijos de Benjamín el tercer día, ordenaron la batalla delante de Gabaa, como las otras veces.
31Y saliendo los hijos de Benjamín contra el pueblo, alejados que fueron de la ciudad, comenzaron á herir algunos del pueblo, matando como las otras veces por los caminos, uno de los cuales sube á Beth-el, y el otro á Gabaa en el campo: y mataron unos treinta hombres de Israel.
32Y los hijos de Benjamín decían: Vencidos son delante de nosotros, como antes. Mas los hijos de Israel decían: Huiremos, y los alejaremos de la ciudad hasta los caminos.
33Entonces, levantándose todos los de Israel de su lugar, pusiéronse en orden en Baal-tamar: y también las emboscadas de Israel salieron de su lugar, del prado de Gabaa.
34Y vinieron contra Gabaa diez mil hombres escogidos de todo Israel, y la batalla comenzó á agravarse: mas ellos no sabían que el mal se acercaba sobre ellos.
35E hirió Jehová á Benjamín delante de Israel; y mataron los hijos de Israel aquel día veinticinco mil y cien hombres de Benjamín, todos los cuales sacaban espada.
36Y vieron los hijos de Benjamín que eran muertos; pues los hijos de Israel habían dado lugar á Benjamín, porque estaban confiados en las emboscadas que habían puesto detrás de Gabaa.
37Entonces las emboscadas acometieron prestamente á Gabaa, y se extendieron, y pasaron á cuchillo toda la ciudad.
38Ya los Israelitas estaban concertados con las emboscadas, que hiciesen mucho fuego, para que subiese gran humo de la ciudad.
39Luego, pues, que los de Israel se volvieron en la batalla, los de Benjamín comenzaron á derribar heridos de Israel unos treinta hombres, y ya decían: Ciertamente ellos han caído delante de nosotros, como en la primera batalla.
40Mas cuando la llama comenzó á subir de la ciudad, una columna de humo, Benjamín tornó á mirar atrás; y he aquí que el fuego de la ciudad subía al cielo.
41Entonces revolvieron los hombres de Israel, y los de Benjamín se llenaron de temor: porque vieron que el mal había venido sobre ellos.
42Volvieron, por tanto, espaldas delante de Israel hacia el camino del desierto; mas el escuadrón los alcanzó, y los salidos de la ciudad los mataban, habiéndolos encerrado en medio de ellos.
43Así envolvieron á los de Benjamín, y los acosaron y hollaron, desde Menuchâ hasta enfrente de Gabaa hacia donde nace el sol.
44Y cayeron de Benjamín diez y ocho mil hombres, todos ellos hombres de guerra.
45Volviéndose luego, huyeron hacia el desierto, á la peña de Rimmón, y de ellos rebuscaron cinco mil hombres en los caminos: fueron aún acosándolos hasta Gidom, y mataron de ellos dos mil hombres.
46Así todos los que de Benjamín murieron aquel día, fueron veinticinco mil hombres que sacaban espada, todos ellos hombres de guerra.
47Pero se volvieron y huyeron al desierto á la peña de Rimmón seiscientos hombres, los cuales estuvieron en la peña de Rimmón cuatro meses:
48Y los hombres de Israel tornaron á los hijos de Benjamín, y pasáronlos á cuchillo, á hombres y bestias en la ciudad, y todo lo que fué hallado: asimismo pusieron fuego á todas las ciudades que hallaban.
King James Version
1Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
2And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
3(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?
4And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.
5And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.
6And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
7Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.
8And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.
9But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;
10And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
11So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.
12And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?
13Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:
14But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
15And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
16Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
17And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
18And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
19And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.
20And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
21And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
22And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.
23(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)
24And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.
25And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.
26Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
27And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.
29And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
30And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
31And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
32And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.
33And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.
34And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.
35And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.
36So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
37And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.
38Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city.
39And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
40But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.
41And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.
42Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
43Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
44And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour.
45And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
46So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.
47But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
48And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.
World English Bible
1Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, to the LORD at Mizpah.
2The chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen who drew sword.
3(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) The children of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?”
4The Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered, “I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night.
5The men of Gibeah rose against me, and surrounded the house by night. They intended to kill me and they raped my concubine, and she is dead.
6I took my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
7Behold, you children of Israel, all of you, give here your advice and counsel.”
8All the people arose as one man, saying, “None of us will go to his tent, neither will any of us turn to his house.
9But now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot;
10and we will take ten men of one hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and one hundred of one thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand to get food for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that the men of Gibeah have done in Israel.”
11So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.
12The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What wickedness is this that has happened among you?
13Now therefore deliver up the men, the wicked fellows who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and put away evil from Israel.” But Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the children of Israel.
14The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
15The children of Benjamin were counted on that day out of the cities twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, in addition to the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were counted seven hundred chosen men.
16Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed. Every one of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17The men of Israel, besides Benjamin, were counted four hundred thousand men who drew sword. All these were men of war.
18The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and asked counsel of God. They asked, “Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin?” The LORD said, “Judah first.”
19The children of Israel rose up in the morning and encamped against Gibeah.
20The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel set the battle in array against them at Gibeah.
21The children of Benjamin came out of Gibeah, and on that day destroyed twenty-two thousand of the Israelite men down to the ground.
22The people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves, and set the battle again in array in the place where they set themselves in array the first day.
23The children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until evening; and they asked of the LORD, saying, “Shall I again draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?” The LORD said, “Go up against him.”
24The children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.
25Benjamin went out against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men. All these drew the sword.
26Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came to Bethel, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until evening; then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
27The children of Israel asked the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease?” The LORD said, “Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver him into your hand.”
29Israel set ambushes all around Gibeah.
30The children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
31The children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to strike and kill of the people as at other times, in the highways, of which one goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
32The children of Benjamin said, “They are struck down before us, as at the first.” But the children of Israel said, “Let’s flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways.”
33All the men of Israel rose up out of their place and set themselves in array at Baal Tamar. Then the ambushers of Israel broke out of their place, even out of Maareh Geba.
34Ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel came over against Gibeah, and the battle was severe; but they didn’t know that disaster was close to them.
35The LORD struck Benjamin before Israel; and the children of Israel destroyed of Benjamin that day twenty-five thousand one hundred men. All these drew the sword.
36So the children of Benjamin saw that they were struck, for the men of Israel yielded to Benjamin because they trusted the ambushers whom they had set against Gibeah.
37The ambushers hurried, and rushed on Gibeah; then the ambushers spread out, and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.
38Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.
39The men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons; for they said, “Surely they are struck down before us, as in the first battle.”
40But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and behold, the whole city went up in smoke to the sky.
41The men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed; for they saw that disaster had come on them.
42Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness, but the battle followed hard after them; and those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the middle of it.
43They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them, and trod them down at their resting place, as far as near Gibeah toward the sunrise.
44Eighteen thousand men of Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.
45They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. They gleaned five thousand men of them in the highways, and followed hard after them to Gidom, and struck two thousand men of them.
46So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword. All these were men of valor.
47But six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and stayed in the rock of Rimmon four months.
48The men of Israel turned again on the children of Benjamin, and struck them with the edge of the sword—including the entire city, the livestock, and all that they found. Moreover they set all the cities which they found on fire.