Judges 17:6
The verse states, *“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”* (v.6). This brief statement sums up the moral climate of the era known as the Judges (around 1370–1050 BC), a period marked by repeated cycles of sin and deliverance for the people of Israel. Without a centralized leadership recognized by all the tribes, they lacked a unifying authority. As a result, social and moral standards became subjective. The phrase *“every man did what was right in his own eyes”* (v.6) portrays a community shaped by personal opinion rather than the commands handed down through Moses. This environment set the backdrop for recurring instability and conflict among the Israelites.
To understand how *“there was no king in Israel”* (v.6) was more than just a note on government, we can look at the deeper theological implication. The verse suggests that while God was ultimately their King, the people often neglected their covenant relationship and drifted into moral confusion. By ignoring God’s authority, they relied on their flawed judgment. This forsaking of divine standards is echoed in other parts of Scripture, illustrating how the lack of godly leadership leads to disobedience and social unrest (1 Samuel 8:7 NASB-95). Ultimately, the cry for a king arose because the chaos of self-led morality led them away from true worship and into disobedience.
Through a New Testament lens, believers can see how the longing for a righteous king in Israel foreshadows the role of Jesus Christ as the promised King and ultimate authority (Matthew 21:5 NASB-95). Where *“every man did what was right in his own eyes”* (v.6) produced chaos, Christ’s kingship brings a way of righteousness and unity. His teachings and sacrifice call believers away from self-determined morality and into the blessings of His lordship. In that sense, Judges 17:6 resonates with God’s overarching plan to bring His people under the perfect rule of a godly King, culminating in the person and work of Jesus.
The people lost their way without a king, leading to moral confusion and disobedience.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 3:1-6 meaning. God allows certain nations in Canaan to continue to exist. This is an opportunity for Israel to grow in its faithfulness and learn how to defend itself. But these nations become a snare to Israel as they intermarry with the Canaanites and adopt their idolatrous practices.
- Deuteronomy 17:8-13 meaning. Moses advises local judges to appeal to the Levitical priests or to the judge in office at the central sanctuary in order to seek guidance when some cases seem too difficult for them to handle.
- Deuteronomy 24:17-18 meaning. Moses warns Israel against perverting the justice due to the alien and the orphan, and forbids taking a widow’s garment in pledge.