…

When The Judges Ruled Israel Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The absence of a king is repeated v. 1a The tribe of Dan sought for an inheritance, “…for until that day an inheritance had not been allotted to them as a possession among the tribes of Israel” v. 1b

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 One might form the wrong conclusion…a failure on the part of Joshua, or even God That would be incorrect Josh 19:40-48 21:43-45 Any failure belonged to Dan Judg 1:34

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The Danite leaders send 5 spies to locate land that would solve their problem v. 2a Traveling north, they stop at Micah’s house in Ephraim…they recognized the voice of the young Levite vv. 2b-3a

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 They inquire re: why he was in Ephraim and what he was doing v. 3b The young Levite informs them he was serving Micah as priest v. 4 The 5 Danites ask him to inquire of the Lord re: their mission for their tribe v. 5

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The young Levite tells them the Lord has approved their mission v. 6 Continuing north, the 5 Danites come to Laish (Leshem) v. 7 Josh 19:47

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 Description of Laish v. 7 Though the inhabitants lived in the manner after the Sidonians, it appeared somewhat isolated from Phoenicia It was “quiet…secure” They were not under any oppression

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The 5 spies return to Dan and report on their discovery (good, spacious land) vv. 8-10 They advised their leaders to go up at once and take it…do not delay The Danite leaders dispatch 600 armed men to secure the land v. 11

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The fact that only 600 were sent might indicate they were not expecting much of a resistance from these isolated people The Danite military force came to Ephraim and to the house of Micah vv. 12-13

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The 5 Danite spies enter Micah’s house and take his images, ephod, & idols v. 17 The Levite asked what they were doing They tell him to keep quiet and come with them…they had a “better offer” vv. 18-19

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The young Levite gladly accepted v. 20 Obviously, he was not a man of principled conviction Micah convinced him to participate in sin Now, he can be convinced to leave 1 error for another just because it has “bigger prestige”

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The young Levite gladly accepted v. 20 Obviously, he was not a man of principled conviction APPLICATION How many people make their decisions re: worship & serving God based on numbers?

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 Micah gathers neighbors and pursues them after they leave his house v. 22 Somehow he found out what they had taken The 600 Danites question Micah & his men re: why they have come upon them v. 23 They couldn’t have been that naïve

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 Micah was somewhat surprised at their question…he accuses them of taking his images, ephod, and his priest v. 24 The sad irony in all this Ù the one who had stolen the silver in the beginning to make gods now has them stolen from him 17:2

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 The Danites could not refute nor deny Micah’s accusation Instead, they intimidate & threaten Micah and his men…“Be quiet or else fierce men will fall upon you & you lose your life” v. 25

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 Knowing he could not stand up to the 600 valiant Danites, Micah gave up v. 26 The Danites arrive in Laish…they killed the people and burn the city because no one was available to deliver them vv. 27-28

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 Interesting point re: the Danites… If they were so “fierce” and “valiant” why couldn’t they have driven out the Amorites when taking possession? 1:34 Perhaps they could only intimidate the weak and kill the defenseless 18:7, 25-28

The “First Appendix” Judg 17-18 The Story Of The Danites 18:1-31 They rebuild the city, re-name it Dan v. 29 They set up Micah’s graven images and continued all his idolatrous practices vv. 30-31

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Both similar & different from the 1st one Similar in that it continues to depict the overall unfaithfulness found in Israel during these days Different in that it focuses more on moral deficiencies than on spiritual failures

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 Particularly, the low esteem or value on human life is emphasized more than once Rape, mutilation, civil war What Israelites do in this “appendix” is grisly and horrific

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30 Once again, the author states the lack of leadership…no king in Israel v. 1a Given this “absence,” it is no wonder something as horrific as this story took place

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30 A Levite living in Ephraim takes for himself a concubine from Bethlehem Judah v. 1b She was not faithful…she played the harlot and returns to her father’s house v. 2 After 4 months, the Levite plans to get her back by speaking tenderly to her v. 3a

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30 At his father-in-law’s house vv. 3b-9 The Levite came prepared to take her home The concubine’s father detained him for feasting for at least 4 days & nights On the 5th day, the Levite was asked to stay the night…he refused and left at evening

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30 Staying in Benjamin vv. 10-28 The Levite & his traveling party came to a place opposite Jebus (Jerusalem) His servant suggested they stay the night The Levite was not willing to stay with “foreigners” 1:21

The “Second Appendix” Judg 19-21 The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30 Staying in Benjamin vv. 10-28 He wanted to go as far as Gibeah or Ramah (in Benjaminite territory) Arriving in Gibeah after sunset, no one takes them into their home…they are forced to set up their lodging in the open city square

…