Judges 21:11 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

But not the virgins, as appears from the next verses. It is questionable whether they were not obliged to destroy these also by virtue of their oath, and of God's express command concerning devoted persons, such as these certainly were, that they should surely be put to death. Leviticus 27:29, which was also particularly enjoined and practised in such cases, as Deu 13 Jos 7, &c. But the natural and necessary duty of preserving a tribe from total ruin, might seem to render the case difficult and doubtful, and incline their opinions, as well as their affections, to the more favourable side. And it may be, the Lord, whom they were here consulting with upon all their occasions, gave them a dispensation thus to do, though that be not expressed; which is the case of many other things which were done, though not recorded; as this very oath was omitted in its proper place, and had not been recorded if this extraordinary occasion had not been offered.