Judges 2:4

4 It happened, when the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the children of Yisra'el, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

Judges 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 2:4

And it came to pass, when the angel of the Lord spake these
words unto all the children of Israel
This being either one of the three solemn feasts, when all the males appeared at the tabernacle of the Lord; or else here was now a solemn convention of all the tribes to inquire of the Lord the reason why they were not able to drive out the Canaanites in some places, and why they prevailed over them in many:

that the people lift up their voice, and wept;
being affected with what the angel said, and convicted in their consciences of their sins, and so fearing the bad consequences thereof, they wept because of the sins they had been guilty of, and because of the evils that were like to befall them on account of them.

Judges 2:4 In-Context

2 and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars. But you have not listened to my voice: why have you done this?

3 Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.

4 It happened, when the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the children of Yisra'el, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

5 They called the name of that place Bokhim: and they sacrificed there to the LORD.

6 Now when Yehoshua had sent the people away, the children of Yisra'el went every man to his inheritance to possess the land.