The book of Judges ends with a phrase that is repeated often, especially in the last five chapters: "In those days Israel had no king everyone did as he saw fit." Why is the author so concerned that we know this?.What did the Israelites understand about the making and keeping of vows, and where had they gone wrong in their vow making (vv.What do you learn from this story about the importance of and the process for reconciliation?.What is right and what is wrong about the Israelites' actions in this chapter?.The Israelites ask God, "Why has this happened to Israel? Why should one tribe be missing from Israel today?" (v.When have you made a promise foolishly? What should be done about foolish promises? All of the women from the tribe of Benjamin had been killed and only six hundred men remained alive.
In the aftermath of the civil war, the Israelites began to regret what they had done. This incident resulted in a bloody and devastating civil war against not only the town of Gibeah but also the entire tribe of Benjamin (Jdg 20). In an attempt to gain sympathy and to justify himself, the enraged lover cut the body of his concubine into twelve pieces and sent one to each tribe of Israel with a message demanding that justice be done. The poor woman was gang-raped and left dead on the doorstep. To save himself, he gave the townsfolk his concubine instead. Instead of offering hospitality, the residents of Gibeah tried to rape the man. In Judges 19 we are told the story of a man and his concubine who, while traveling, had stopped for the night in the town of Gibeah. The moral decay of Israel continued to grow worse. For more context before you begin studying, read this introduction to the book of Judges.
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