The people came to Bethel, and sat there until evening before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore.
Then the Israelites sought the Lord more seriously (Judges 21:4). It seems strange that they built an altar at Bethel since they had recently offered sacrifices on the one before the tabernacle there (Judges 20:26). Perhaps they rebuilt or enlarged the altar at Bethel, or they may have built another one.