15 The people grieved for Benjamin, because the Lord had made a gap in the tribes of Israel.
15 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
15 And the people had compassion on Benjamin because the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
15 The people felt bad for Benjamin; God had left out Benjamin - the missing piece from the Israelite tribes.
15 And the people grieved for Benjamin, because the Lord had made a void in the tribes of Israel.
15 The people felt sorry for Benjamin because the Lord had made this gap among the tribes of Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 21:15
Chapter Contents
The Israelites lament for the Benjamites.
Israel lamented for the Benjamites, and were perplexed by the oath they had taken, not to give their daughters to them in marriage. Men are more zealous to support their own authority than that of God. They would have acted better if they had repented of their rash oaths, brought sin-offerings, and sought forgiveness in the appointed way, rather than attempt to avoid the guilt of perjury by actions quite as wrong. That men can advise others to acts of treachery or violence, out of a sense of duty, forms a strong proof of the blindness of the human mind when left to itself, and of the fatal effects of a conscience under ignorance and error.