*On the third day, Yahweh told the Israelites to battle with the Benjamites for the third time. This time he would give them the victory. The Israelites set up an ambush around Gibeah. The rest of the troops took up battle stations as before. The Benjamite army went out to meet them in battle. The army had set up 10,000 of its best fighting men to meet the Benjamites in a full frontal attack. The Israelites won the battle that day, killing 25,100 Benjamites. This was practically the whole Benjamite army. (Verse 15)
*Next follows a more detailed account: During the battle, the Benjamites killed about thirty Israelites, giving the Benjamites the impression they could win again. The Israelites pretended to retreat, drawing the Benjamites away from the city. Meanwhile, the men of the ambush went into Gibeah by a prearranged plan, killed all the inhabitants, and sent up a smoke signal. When the smoke began to rise from the city, the Benjamites saw it and were frightened. At this sign, the Israelites turned back on them. The Benjamites ran in the direction of the desert but could not escape. The Israelites that had been in the town came out and easily overran them. 18,000 Benjamites were killed. The remainder turned and fled in another direction, but 5,000 were cut down by the Israelites along the roads. 2,000 more were chased as far as Gidom and killed. This is the only place Gidom is ever mentioned, in the Bible or anywhere else.
*Six hundred Benjamites managed to escape and hide in the desert for four months. Meanwhile, the Israelites put every single Benjamite town to the sword, including the animals. Then they set all the towns on fire. All that carnage to avenge the death of one person.
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