Judges 21 · Grade 4
When Everyone Does Right in His Own Eyes
Read and Think
Israel had won the war, but at Bethel they wept severely. They had sworn not to give their daughters to Benjamin, and now only six hundred Benjamite men remained. The people asked Yahweh why one tribe was lacking in Israel, built an altar, and offered sacrifices. The chapter does not say they waited for an answer from God.
Instead, they made their own plans. They had also sworn that anyone who did not come to Mizpah would die. No one had come from Jabesh Gilead, so Israel attacked the town and took four hundred young women for Benjamin. When that was not enough, the elders told the Benjamites to hide in the vineyards at the yearly feast in Shiloh and seize young women who came out to dance.
These plans kept the letter of their oath but caused great harm to many families. These plans were wrong. Then everyone went home. The book closes with the same words heard earlier: In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges ends by showing Israel's need for a faithful king who would lead them to follow God.
Show What You Know
What does the chapter not say Israel did after asking God why?
Why did Israel attack Jabesh Gilead?
Where did the elders tell Benjamin to hide?
What does Judges end by showing?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Israel had won the war, but at they wept severely.
- The people asked Yahweh why one tribe was lacking in Israel, built an , and offered sacrifices.
- The chapter does not say they waited for an answer from .
- The book closes with the same words heard earlier: In those days there was no in Israel.
- Everyone did that which was in his own eyes.
Think About It
Israel tried to fix one wrong by doing more wrongs. How can you stop and ask God before trying to fix a mistake your own way?
Judges ends without a hero. Why do you think the book ends by pointing to the need for a faithful king?
Memory Verse
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes.”
Judges 21:25 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being our good King. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Why is it hard to slow down and ask God first?
- How can you help someone who feels left out?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.