‘And the whole congregation sent and spoke to the children of Benjamin who were in the Rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace to them. And Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead. And yet so there were not sufficient for them.'
We note the lack of mention of the names of central leaders throughout the whole narrative. It may have been in order to stress that the whole of Israel was involved, or it may have been because there was no man prominent enough to be so mentioned. The period of the Judges was one in the main lacking in leadership, although at times there were local exceptions.
“Proclaimed peace to them.” The war was over. No further reparation would be required. They could come out safely and rejoin the tribal confederacy.
“And Benjamin returned at that time.” Not just returned to their camp but returned to the confederacy. They became once more a brother. And the four hundred virgins were supplied to them for the producing of children to rebuild the tribe. But four hundred was not enough for there were six hundred men.