⁶ Now the Israelites grieved for the tribe of Benjamin, their fellow Israelites. “Today one tribe is cut off from Israel,” they said.

¹⁵ The people grieved for Benjamin,^(A) because the Lord had made a gap in the tribes of Israel.

⁴¹ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it^{(A) 42} and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

²⁶ Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour^(A) forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?”

²³ The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord^(A) until evening,^(B) and they inquired of the Lord.^(C) They said, “Shall we go up again to fight^(D) against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?”

The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”

³⁵ When he saw her, he tore his clothes^(A) and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.^(B)”