Judges 17:6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 17:1-6

Here we have, I. Micah and his mother quarrelling. 1. The son robs the mother. The old woman had hoarded, with long scraping and saving, a great sum of money, 1100 pieces of silver. It is likely she intended, when she died, to leave it to her son: in the mean time it did her good to look upon it, and to count it over. The young man had a family of children grown up, for he had one of age to be a priest, Jdg. 17:5. He knows where to find his mother's cash, thinks he has more need of it than she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 17:6

In those days there was no king in Israel ,.... That is, no supreme magistrate, judge, or ruler, Joshua being dead and Caleb also, and the elders contemporary with them; for what the Samaritan Chronicle says F12 Apud Hottinger. Smegma Orient. p. 522. is without foundation, that Joshua a little before his death cast a lot in the presence of the congregation, to know who should govern after him, and the lot came to one Abel, of the tribe of Judah: but every man did that which was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 17:6

There was no king in Israel - The word מלך melech , which generally means king, is sometimes taken for a supreme governor, judge, magistrate, or ruler of any kind; (see Genesis 36:31 , and Deuteronomy 33:5 ;); and it is likely it should be so understood here. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes - He was his own governor, and what he did he said was right; and, by his cunning and strength, defended his conduct. When a man's own will,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 17:6

In those days ... - This phrase, indicating distinctly that the writer lived after the establishment of the kingly government in Israel, is unique to the author of these last five chapters. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 17:6

Judges 17:6. There was no king in Israel No judge to govern and control them; the word king being used largely for a supreme magistrate. God raised up judges to rule and deliver the people when he saw fit; and at other times for their sins he suffered them to be without them, and such a time this was; and therefore they ran into that idolatry from which the judges usually kept them; as appears by that solemn and oft-repeated declaration in this book, that after the death of such or such a... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 17:1-13

17:1-21:25 TRIBAL DISORDER WITHIN ISRAELThe writer of the book has now finished his account of the activity of the judges. To this he adds an appendix consisting of two stories (not necessarily placed in their correct chronological position in the book) that illustrate the disorder that existed in Israel during that period. The nation had no central government and people in the various tribes did as they pleased (see 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The stories record important changes that occurred... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 17:6

no king. First occurrence of four, See Judges 18:1 ; Judges 19:1 ; Judges 21:25 . Two conform to the structure here; and two in chs. Judges 19:1 , and Judges 21:25 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 17:6

Judges 17:6. In those days there was no king in Israel— That is to say, no supreme governor; and, consequently, a total anarchy prevailed, (see 2 Chronicles 15:3.) which words are inserted, not only as a reason why Micah set up this sanctuary at home, being afraid, through the deficiency of government, and the danger of the times, to go up to Shiloh; but also as a reason why he did it with impunity. Note; (1.) Corruptions in the church arise from small beginnings; to avoid idolatry, we must... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 17:6

6. every man did that which was right in his own eyes—From want of a settled government, there was no one to call him to account. No punishment followed any crime. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 17:1-6

Micah’s unlawful worship 17:1-6The writer told us nothing about Micah’s background, except that he originally lived in the Hill Country of Ephraim, with or near his mother (Judges 17:1-2). Micah’s name means "Who is like Yahweh." As is true of so many details in this story, Micah’s name is ironic. He was anything but like Yahweh. The fact that Micah’s mother blessed him in the name of Yahweh creates a positive impression, but other features of the story demonstrate that her veneer of orthodox... read more