Study Desk

Then all the sons of Israel from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, came out, and the congregation assembled as one person to the LORD at ^(C1)Mizpah.

And the ^(F1)leaders of all the people, all the tribes of Israel, took their stand in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand foot ^(F2)soldiers ^(C1)who drew the sword.

(Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, "Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?"

So the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, "I came with my concubine to spend the night at Gibeah which belongs to Benjamin.

"But the ^(F1)(C1)citizens of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house at night, ^(F2)threatening me. They intended to kill me; instead, they ^(C2)raped my concubine so that she died.

"And I ^(C1)took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel's inheritance; for ^(C2)they have committed an outrageous sin and vile act in Israel.

"Behold, all you sons of Israel, ^(C1)give your ^(F1)response and advice here."