the slayers, went
into the city, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

20:38. Now the children of Israel had given a sign to them, whom they
had laid in ambushes, that after they had taken the city, they should
make a fire: that by the smoke rising on high, they might shew that the
city was taken.

20:39. And when the children of Israel saw this in the battle, (for the
children of Benjamin thought they fled, and pursued them vigorously,
killing thirty men of their army)

20:40. And perceived, as it were, a pillar of smoke rise up from the
city; and Benjamin looking back, saw that the city was taken, and that
the flames ascended on high:

20:41. They that before had made as if they fled, turning their faces,
stood bravely against them. Which the children of Benjamin seeing,
turned their backs,

20:42. And began to go towards the way of the desert, the enemy pursuing
them thither also. And they that fired the city came also out to meet
them.

20:43. And so it was, that they were slain on both sides by the enemies,
and there was no rest of their men dying. They fell and were beaten down
on the east side of the city of Gabaa.

20:44. And they that were slain in the same place, were eighteen
thousand men, all most valiant soldiers.

20:45. And when they that remained of Benjamin saw this, they fled into
the wilderness, and made towards the rock that is called Remmon. In that
flight also, as they were straggling, and going different ways; they
slew of them five thousand men. And as they went farther, they still
pursued them, and slew also other two thousand.

20:46. And so it came to pass, that all that were slain of Benjamin, in
divers places, were five and twenty thousand fighting men, most valiant
for war.

20:47. And there remained of all the number of Benjamin only six hundred
men that were able to escape, and flee to the wilderness: and they abode
in the rock Remmon four months.

20:48. But the children of Israel returning, put all the remains of the
city to the sword, both men and beasts, and all the cities and villages
of Benjamin were consumed with devouring flames.

Judges Chapter 21

The tribe of Benjamin is saved from being utterly extinct, by providing
wives for the six hundred that remained.

21:1. Now the children of Israel had also sworn in Maspha, saying: None
of us shall give of his daughters to the children of Benjamin to wife.

21:2. And they all came to the house of God in Silo,