The Book of Judges, chapter 21, concludes the narrative of the Israelite tribes’ cyclical journey of faithfulness and rebellion against God, focusing on the aftermath of a civil war within Israel. This chapter deals with the Israelites’ efforts to resolve the near-extermination of one of their tribes, the Benjaminites, following the civil war triggered by the incident of the Levite’s concubine in Gibeah.

Summary of Judges 21 with Verse Numbers:

1-2: The Israelites lament at Bethel for the near destruction of one of their tribes.
3: They question why such a disaster has befallen Israel.
4: The next day, they build an altar and offer burnt offerings and peace offerings.
5-7: The Israelites had sworn not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjaminites; they lament for the lack of wives for the surviving Benjaminites.
8-12: They realize that no one from Jabesh-gilead had participated in the assembly or the oath; they decide to attack Jabesh-gilead, killing its inhabitants except for the virgin girls, who they give to the surviving Benjaminites as wives.
13-14: The remaining virgins from Jabesh-gilead are given to the Benjaminites, but there are not enough women for them.
15-18: The Israelites grieve for Benjamin and seek a solution for the remaining men without wives.
19-22: They devise a plan for the Benjaminites to abduct women from Shiloh during an annual festival, rationalizing it as a way for the Benjaminites to obtain wives without the Israelites directly breaking their oath.
23-24: The Benjaminites do so and return to their territory to rebuild their cities and live.
25: The book concludes with a reflection on the moral and social chaos of the time, stating, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Life Applications:

1. Consequences of Sin and Disobedience (v. 1-14): This narrative highlights the tragic consequences of sin and disobedience to God. It serves as a reminder of the importance of living in alignment with God’s laws and the potential for societal breakdown when those laws are ignored.
2. Importance of Seeking Godly Solutions (v. 4-7, 13-14): The Israelites’ attempt to remedy their rash oath with further violence underscores the importance of seeking Godly wisdom and guidance in solving problems, rather than relying on human wisdom alone.
3. Repentance and Restoration (v. 1-3, 15-18): The Israelites’ lamentation and offerings signify the importance of repentance and seeking restoration with God and among each other. It teaches the value of reconciliation and the steps towards healing after conflict.
4. The Dangers of Rash Vows (v. 5-7, 18-22): The Israelites’ dilemma over their oath not to give their daughters to the Benjaminites illustrates the dangers of making rash vows, especially those that can lead to harm or require sinful actions to fulfill.
5. Moral Relativism (v. 25): The concluding verse of the book serves as a caution against moral relativism, the idea that what is right or wrong can be decided by individuals rather than by a moral absolute. It calls for the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and His standards as the foundation for moral decisions and societal laws.

Judges 21, with its complex narrative of sin, consequences, and attempts at resolution, teaches the importance of faithfulness to God, the dangers of compounding sin with further sin, and the need for godly wisdom and justice in dealing with societal and moral issues.