Odysseus will repay the hospitality shown by Alcinous is evident in lines 1-7 in book 9; And it is important as when they will survive, will remain friends and allies which is significant in political terms.
Explanation:
Odysseus will repay the hospitality shown by Alcinous which is both a necessary and an important turning point in the time of war which shows the significance of this vow as being the political terminology is upheld.
Odysseus and Alcinous will become friends at the end of the war in case of their survival of both of them. This survival and their friendship will lay down the political alliance to be established as a significant part of repayment of the hospitality.
The men were exhausted, so that is why thet didn't retaliate.
