The inclusio, 17:6 and 21:25: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

The events of this section took place within 100 years of Joshua’s death (possibly during the lifetime of Ehud). This section placed here for added emphasis and as to not distract from the literary whole of the reign of the judges.

Section 1: “And it happened,” “And it came to pass” , 17:1. (17-18)

• The grandson of Moses (Micah) and his descendants are living in sin.
• They create an idolatrous worship center in Dan. 
• Deterioration of a person, family.

Section 2: “And it happened,” “And it came to pass” ,19:1.  (19-21) 

• The grandson of Aaron (Phinehas) righteously stands against the sinful acts of the tribe of Benjamin
• Deterioration of a nation. Marriage, rape, and hostility.

**The leadership is in sin, and people can’t seem to obey Yahweh…they want a king to rescue them! (1 Sam. 18:5)