Israel, Doing What Was Right in Its Own Eyes

The people of Israel gather in one place. They have come together to judge the tribe of Benjamin, yet the first thing they settle is not repentance but an oath that they will not give their daughters. When that oath leaves the tribe of Benjamin wiped out, they turn and complain to God, asking why such a thing has happened.

They did wrong themselves, and then blamed God for the outcome. To cover that sin, they next sacrifice the people of a weak and innocent town and carry off women by force, making a show of honoring their oath. Outwardly they seem to be keeping the rules, but what comes to light is the true face of Israel: weak before the strong and cruel to the weak.

The whole story ends in neither repentance nor turning back. It closes with the words that there was no king, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. This is what came of living as they pleased, refusing to acknowledge God even though he was there as their King.