The Tragic Ending

Text: Judges 17:1–21:25 Focus: Moral and spiritual decline in Israel without godly leadership. Key Verse: Judges 21:25 - “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Objective

To understand the consequences of living without regard for God’s authority.

To reflect on how the events of these chapters highlight the need for a Savior.

To examine how similar patterns of moral decline manifest in society and personal lives today.

1. Opening Discussion (10 minutes)

Icebreaker Question: What happens when everyone in a group, family, or society decides to follow their own rules? Share examples.

Connection to the Text: Highlight how the book of Judges ends in chaos and lawlessness because Israel rejected God’s authority.

2. Scripture Reading and Overview (15 minutes)

Judges 17:1–6: Micah’s idolatry and the start of religious corruption.

Judges 17:1-6 tells the story of a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim. He had stolen 1,100 pieces of silver from his mother but later confessed and returned it. His mother, in gratitude, dedicated some of the silver to the Lord and had an idol made from it. Micah set up a shrine in his house, made an ephod (a priestly garment), and installed one of his sons as a priest. The passage ends with the statement that in those days, "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes," highlighting the spiritual and moral decline of Israel during that time.

Judges 18:1–31: The Danites’ conquest and misuse of Micah’s idols.

Judges 18 recounts the story of the Danites seeking land to settle and their encounter with Micah’s shrine.

The Danites Seek Territory (vv. 1-6) – Since the tribe of Dan had not fully secured their allotted land, they sent five spies to find a new place to settle. The spies came to the house of Micah in Ephraim, where they met a Levite serving as Micah’s personal priest. They asked him to inquire of God about their journey, and he assured them of success.

The Danites Discover Laish (vv. 7-10) – The spies found the city of Laish, an isolated and peaceful settlement with no strong defenses. They returned to their tribe and encouraged 600 warriors to go and take the city.

The Theft of Micah’s Idol and Priest (vv. 11-26) – As they passed through Ephraim, the Danites stole Micah’s carved idol, ephod, and household gods. They also convinced the Levite priest to leave Micah and serve them instead. When Micah confronted them, he was outnumbered and had to let them go.

The Conquest of Laish (vv. 27-31) – The Danites attacked Laish, killing its inhabitants and burning the city. They rebuilt it and renamed it Dan. They set up Micah’s idol and continued in idolatry, with Jonathan, the grandson of Moses (identified as the first priest), and his descendants serving as priests for the tribe.

This chapter highlights Israel’s spiritual decline, as the Danites relied on stolen idols rather than God, and everyone continued to do what was right in their own eyes.

Judges 19:1–30: The horrific account of the Levite and his concubine.

Judges 19 recounts a disturbing story that highlights the moral decay of Israel during a time when "there was no king in Israel."

The Levite and His Concubine (vv. 1-9) – A Levite from Ephraim had a concubine who left him and returned to her father’s house in Bethlehem. After four months, he went to bring her back. Her father welcomed him warmly and delayed their departure for several days with feasting.

The Journey to Gibeah (vv. 10-21) – The Levite, his concubine, and his servant finally left late in the day and decided to stop in Gibeah, a city of the Benjaminites, rather than a foreign city. No one offered them lodging until an old man invited them into his home.

The Wickedness of Gibeah (vv. 22-26) – That night, wicked men surrounded the house, demanding to sexually assault the Levite. In a tragic parallel to Sodom and Gomorrah, the old man offered his daughter and the Levite’s concubine instead. The Levite ultimately forced his concubine outside, and the men abused her all night. At dawn, she collapsed at the door and died.

The Levite’s Gruesome Response (vv. 27-30) – In the morning, the Levite found her lifeless and took her body home. In an act meant to provoke outrage, he cut her body into twelve pieces and sent them throughout Israel. The chapter ends with Israel in shock, setting the stage for civil war.

This tragic account illustrates the depths of Israel’s moral corruption when they abandoned God, emphasizing the repeated refrain, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Judges 20:1–48: Civil war among the tribes.

Judges 20 recounts the civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel in response to the horrific crime committed in Gibeah (Judges 19).

1. Israel Gathers Against Benjamin (vv. 1-11)

The other eleven tribes assembled at Mizpah to seek justice for the brutal rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine in Gibeah. The Levite recounted the events, stirring outrage. The tribes decided to punish Gibeah and demanded that Benjamin hand over the guilty men, but the Benjamites refused and prepared for battle.

2. First Two Battles – Benjamin Prevails (vv. 12-25)

First attack: Israel sent 22,000 men, but Benjamin defeated them.

Second attack: Israel, after seeking the Lord’s guidance, attacked again, but Benjamin killed 18,000 more Israelites.

3. Third Battle – Benjamin is Defeated (vv. 26-48)

Israel fasted and wept before the Lord at Bethel. God instructed them to fight again, promising victory.

They set an ambush around Gibeah. The Benjamites were initially overconfident but were lured into the trap.

Israel destroyed Gibeah, slaughtered most of the Benjamite army, and burned the city. Only 600 Benjamite men escaped to the wilderness.

Key Themes:

The moral and spiritual decay of Israel led to internal conflict.

The cost of sin was devastating: nearly the entire tribe of Benjamin was wiped out.

Israel sought God but only after suffering heavy losses, showing their struggle to trust Him fully.

Judges 21:1–25: The futile attempt to fix moral decay with human solutions.

Judges 21 describes how Israel dealt with the near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin after the civil war.

1. Israel’s Oath and Regret (vv. 1-7)

The Israelites had sworn not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites. However, after realizing that only 600 Benjamite men remained, they mourned the potential loss of a tribe from Israel and sought a way to preserve them.

2. The Massacre at Jabesh-Gilead (vv. 8-14)

To provide wives for the Benjamites, Israel attacked Jabesh-Gilead, a town that had not joined the assembly at Mizpah. They killed all the men and non-virgin women but spared 400 virgin women, giving them to the surviving Benjamites.

3. The Abduction at Shiloh (vv. 15-24)

Since 400 women were not enough, Israel advised the Benjamites to seize wives during a festival in Shiloh. The men of Benjamin kidnapped women as they danced, thus securing enough wives to rebuild their tribe.

4. Conclusion: Moral Chaos (v. 25)

The book ends with the refrain: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This highlights the lawlessness and moral decline of Israel during the time of the judges.

Overview Key Points:

The shift from covenant faithfulness to idolatry.

How sin escalates when God’s authority is ignored.

The social and spiritual disintegration of Israel.

3. Group Discussion Questions (25 minutes)

Idolatry and Its Effects:

What does Micah’s story (Judges 17–18) reveal about the danger of creating our own version of God?

How does idolatry manifest in modern contexts, even among believers?

2. Moral and Social Chaos:

What parallels can you draw between the events in Judges 19–21 and the state of society today?

How does this reflect humanity’s need for godly leadership and accountability?

3. The Role of Leadership:

How does the refrain, “In those days there was no king in Israel,” emphasize the need for righteous leadership?

How can believers ensure that Christ remains their ultimate King in everyday life?

4. Redemption and Hope:

Despite the darkness in these chapters, how does this story point us to Jesus, the true King and Redeemer?

How does submitting to God’s authority bring peace and order into our lives?

4. Application and Reflection (10 minutes)

Personal Reflection:

In what areas of your life might you be “doing what is right in your own eyes”?

What practical steps can you take this week to live under God’s authority?

Community Challenge:

As a church, how can we collectively address moral decline in our community with the truth and love of Christ?

5. Closing Prayer (10 minutes)

Thank God for His patience and faithfulness, even in times of rebellion and sin.

Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to surrender every aspect of life to Christ’s rule.

Pray for the church to reflect God’s kingdom in a dark and chaotic world.