The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin, 1-7. The inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead, for not coming up to this battle, are all destroyed, excepting four hundred damsels, whom the Israelites bestow for wives on the remaining Benjamites, 8-15. They advise the rest to seize on the dancing maidens at the feast in Shiloh; and to carry away as many as they had need of, 16-21. The answer wherewith they should pacify their relations, 22.