the Israelites counterattacked.<n id="1" /> Benjamin had begun to strike down the Israelites;<n id="2" /> they struck down<n id="3" /> about thirty men. They said, &#8220;There&#8217;s no doubt about it! They are totally defeated as in the earlier battle.&#8221;

When their fathers or brothers come and protest to us,<n id="1" /> we&#8217;ll say to them, &#8220;Do us a favor and let them be,<n id="2" /> for we could not get each one a wife through battle.<n id="3" /> Don&#8217;t worry about breaking your oath!<n id="4" /> You would only be guilty if you had voluntarily given them wives.&#8217;&#8221;<n id="5" />p>