The people came to Bethel, and sat there until evening before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore.
The Israelites’ initial reaction was to ask God to explain the situation (Judges 21:3). The reason for it was their failure to seek and follow God’s will earlier (cf. Judges 20:8-11). Here we see no mourning for sin, no self-humbling because of national transgression, and no return to the Lord. The Lord did not respond to them because they acted in self-will (Judges 21:10).