¹⁸ The Israelites went up to Bethel^[a](A) and inquired of God.^(B) They said, “Who of us is to go up first^(C) to fight^(D) against the Benjamites?”

The Lord replied, “Judah^(E) shall go first.”

³¹ The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away^(A) from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads—the one leading to Bethel^(B) and the other to Gibeah.

² The people went to Bethel,^[a] where they sat before God until evening, raising their voices and weeping bitterly.