Tyndale Open Study NotesJudges 21

These two epilogues (Judges 17–18 and 19–21) show that inspired but unstructured leadership cannot last. As society moved toward chaos and civil war, the phrase, In those days there was no king in Israel appears four times. The phrase, everyone did what was right in his own eyes is added twice (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The era of inspired leadership declined and ended in disorder. Something important was missing.

• This second epilogue (see study note on Judges 17:1–21:25) shifts the focus from individuals to entire tribes. It begins with the outrage in the Benjamite town of Gibeah (Judges 19), which led to a civil war (Judges 20) and the near destruction of Benjamin. It then moves to the attempt to save the tribe from disappearing (Judges 21). The book ends with the familiar refrain: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This was what they did in the days of Gibea, perhaps the lowest point in Israel's history that Hosea, 400 years later, would compare to the depths Ephraim had reached (Hosea 9:9; 10:9).

• The path was cleared for a shift from charismatic leadership to "covenant-charismatic kingship." This kingship combined living under the Lord’s covenant with the anointing of the spirit for ruling, as seen with Saul and David.

In Judges, for the second time, a foolish vow caused problems for those who made it (see study note on Judges 11:31).

The idea of a twelve-tribe league was important in Israel. It lasted despite Levi separating from the other tribes, Simeon and Asher almost disappearing, and Joseph splitting into two tribes (Manasseh and Ephraim). Losing one tribe would have implied that God's agreement with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was falling apart.

Jabesh-gilead was an important town east of the Jordan River. Its failure to join the war against Benjamin caused a serious break in unity (see Judges 21:5).

Devote to destruction: See Leviticus 27:28–29.

• The people grieved for Benjamin: Israel worried about the nation's division.

• The gap in Israel was God's doing, as the war against Benjamin was a response to God's covenant.

The yearly feast in Shiloh may have originally been a Canaanite celebration.

The land given to them was the land assigned to the tribe of Benjamin by the Lord's agreement (Judges 2:6).

The people of Israel persevered despite having no inspired leaders (Judges 17–18) and the tribal league's failure (Judges 19–21). Tribes and families remained strong, ensuring Israel and its tribes would endure.

The conclusion of Judges 17–21 explains the reason for the social disorder of the time. After the period of the judges, God would establish a new covenant with Israel involving King David (2 Samuel 7) and the promise of a messianic rule. The fulfillment of that promise would exceed anything imaginable during the time when Israel had no king.