When There Was No King

Dearly Beloved, 

Day 96: Chronological Bible in One Year Devotion🙏🙏

The final chapters of Judges paint a dark and heartbreaking picture of what happens when a nation abandons its moral compass. In Judges 19, we read the horrific story of a Levite and his concubine who are subjected to unspeakable cruelty by the men of Gibeah, a city in Benjamin. The Levite’s response—cutting her body into twelve pieces and sending them to the tribes of Israel—shocks the nation into action.

In Judges 20, the tribes unite to demand justice, but the tribe of Benjamin defends the guilty men. This leads to a bloody civil war that nearly wipes out the Benjamites. Israel seeks God’s counsel, yet the situation reveals the deep moral confusion and brokenness among God’s people. The conflict ends with tremendous loss on both sides.

Judges 21 highlights a desperate attempt to preserve the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites, realizing they have almost annihilated a tribe of God’s people, devise plans to find wives for the remaining Benjamite men. Their solutions involve more violence and manipulation, further demonstrating a people trying to fix spiritual decay through human logic rather than divine direction.

The closing verse summarizes the spiritual state of Israel: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Without God as King, chaos reigns. This is a sobering reminder of the danger of moral relativism—when people define their own truth, injustice prevails.

Yet, this dark narrative also reminds us of the desperate need for godly leadership and surrender to divine authority. Without God's rule in our hearts, society crumbles. When we allow God to reign in our lives, His justice, mercy, and peace bring true restoration.

Reflection:

What happens when we choose what is “right in our own eyes” instead of what is right in God’s eyes? Have you allowed God to be King over every area of your life?

Prayer: Lord, I surrender to Your rule in my life. Help me not to follow my own way, but to walk in Your truth. Where there is moral confusion, bring clarity. Where there is brokenness, bring healing. Be my King, and reign in righteousness over my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.