שופטים, פרק כ״א, פסוק ט״ו

Following the devastating civil war, a profound sense of regret washed over the Israelites. They realized that their violent retaliation against the tribe of Benjamin had been far too extreme [שטיינזלץ]. The conflict had resulted in a catastrophic breaking point, a massive disaster that brought an entire tribe to the brink of complete extinction [מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. Although the physical destruction was carried out by the hands of the Israelites themselves, the tragedy is ultimately attributed to God, who acted through them to bring about this harsh reality [מצודת דוד].

Earlier in the aftermath, the burden of grief was carried primarily by the national leaders and elders, who were focused on the collective survival of the nation. Now, however, that deep sorrow spread to the general public. A partial solution had already been secured by finding wives for four hundred Benjaminite men, which eased the immediate fear that the tribe would be wiped out. Yet, the people still mourned the bitter hatred and the brutal war that had torn their tribes apart. Driven by a renewed sense of brotherly love and a genuine desire for reconciliation, the masses refused to accept a reality where the remaining two hundred men of Benjamin would be left to die alone, without the chance to build families of their own [מלבי״ם].