Judges 21:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After the conflict concluded, fury and bitterness transformed into remorse, and as they sheathed their weapons and united, the men of Israel mourned deeply, fasting in sorrow over the destruction of one of their brother tribes and the loss of a valiant part of their nation. Although they had justly confronted those who had perpetrated wrongdoing, seeking retribution for their actions, their land had been fractured by civil strife, inflicting wounds upon their own hearts. The tears they shed stirred the spirit of anguish and fostered greater love among them.