Israel had exacted retribution on the Benjamites, but they felt sorrow at having to have done so. They had also taken a vow that none of them would give their daughters in marriage to a Benjamite.
They wanted the tribe to continue, but they also took their vow seriously. All the tribes, but one, had assembled before the Lord. This one tribe was singled out and even more retribution was carried out against that tribe. This seems cruel and harsh to us. There are two things to note. First God did not instruct them to do this. Secondly, a vow and righteousness were taken very seriously, as was the sense of community.
The would even kill the children and women. However, some women were found who were spared, and these were given as wives to the Benjamites, if in a somewhat convoluted and underhand manner.
The book closes with the refrain "Israel had no king and everyone did as they saw fit".
So ends the rather sorry state of affairs recorded in the book of Judges.
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