The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is happen among you?
This response of the Benjamites was deplorable.  Rather than surrender a few guilty persons to justice, they suddenly decided on an armed defense of the murderers, thus bringing about a judgment against their whole tribe and the near-extermination of it.  It is bad enough to commit a grievous sin, but worse to defend it!  Like many today, however, Benjamin was unwilling to accept reproof.  They would learn the hard way, that, "A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy"  (Proverbs 29:1)."[10]