The tribes of Israel weep bitterly because of the oath to which they are bound. It is perhaps a bit strange that Israel cares about this, given its recent excessive slaughter of Benjamin. But the dust of battle has cleared away, and Israel sees things quite differently now. They have great pity on Benjamin. How is this endangered tribe going to be restored? Yet the reader would rather the weeping be over Israel’s sins.1
2 And the people came to Bethel and sat there till evening before God, and they lifted up their voices and wept bitterly.