The ambush is set

29So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah.

30Then the sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day, and they drew up against Gibeah as before.

31And the sons of Benjamin came out to meet the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to strike down some of the people, as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and one to Gibeah in the open country, about thirty men of Israel.

32And the sons of Benjamin said, “They are being struck down before us as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.”

33Then all the men of Israel rose from their place and drew up in battle formation at Baal-tamar, while the men lying in ambush of Israel rushed out from their place, from Maareh-geba.

34Then ten thousand chosen men from all Israel came against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce; but they did not know that disaster was closing in on them.

35And Yahweh struck Benjamin down before Israel, and the sons of Israel destroyed twenty-five thousand one hundred men of Benjamin that day, all these drawing the sword.

36So the sons of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. Now the men of Israel had given place to Benjamin, because they trusted in the ambush that they had set against Gibeah.

37Then the men in ambush quickly rushed against Gibeah, and the ambush advanced and struck the whole city with the edge of the sword.