<t /><p class="bodytext">In those days Israel had no king. There was a Levite<n id="1" /> living temporarily in the remote region of the Ephraimite hill country. He acquired a concubine<n id="2" /> from Bethlehem<n id="3" /> in Judah.

<p class="bodytext">The Israelites went up to Bethel<n id="1" /> and asked God,<n id="2" /> &#8220;Who should lead the charge against the Benjaminites?&#8221;<n id="3" /> The <sc>Lordsc> said, &#8220;Judah should lead.&#8221;