Judges 18:1

KJV

¶ In those days [there was] no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

In those days {H3117} there was no king {H4428} in Israel {H3478}: and in those days {H3117} the tribe {H7626} of the Danites {H1839} sought {H1245} them an inheritance {H5159} to dwell in {H3427}; for unto that day {H3117} all their inheritance {H5159} had not fallen {H5307} unto them among {H8432} the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At that time there was no king in Isra'el, and it was also at that time that the tribe of Dan was looking for a place to claim ownership of and settle in, since they had not yet been given any land of their own among the tribes of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

American Standard Version

In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 18:1 serves as a foundational verse for the narrative of the Danite migration, encapsulating the pervasive anarchy and spiritual decline characteristic of the Judges period. It highlights the absence of a central, unifying authority ("no king in Israel") and the practical consequence of this societal breakdown: the tribe of Dan, failing to secure their divinely allotted inheritance in the south, is forced to seek new territory, illustrating a broader pattern of incomplete obedience and human initiative apart from divine guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates the final major narrative block of the Book of Judges (chapters 17-21), often referred to as an appendix due to its distinct content and the recurring refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel." This phrase, also found in [Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes"), [Judges 19:1](/judges/19-1 "Judges 19:1 - The Levite and His Concubine"), and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The End of the Book of Judges"), acts as a thematic inclusio, framing the moral and spiritual chaos that ensues when there is no righteous leadership and "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 18:1 specifically sets the stage for the Danites' violent and idolatrous quest for a new homeland, directly flowing into the story of Micah's idol and the Levite priest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges, following Joshua's death, was a transitional era for Israel, moving from a unified conquest to a tribal confederacy. While God was their ultimate King, a human king had not yet been established. The absence of a strong central government led to fragmented tribal loyalties and vulnerability to external pressures. The Danites' original inheritance, detailed in [Joshua 19:40-48](/joshua/19-40 "Joshua 19:40-48 - The Inheritance of Dan"), was strategically challenging, bordering the powerful Philistines and Amorites. Their failure to fully dispossess these inhabitants, as recorded in [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - Danites Pressed by Amorites"), left them vulnerable and unable to secure their promised land, a common theme reflecting Israel's incomplete obedience to God's command to drive out the Canaanites. This historical reality forced them to seek a more secure dwelling, leading to their northward migration.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 18:1 introduces several critical themes that permeate the book. The most prominent is the **Absence of Central Authority and Resultant Anarchy**, symbolized by the recurring "no king in Israel" refrain, which underscores a theological vacuum where God's covenant laws were disregarded. This led to moral relativism, as individuals and tribes acted according to their own flawed judgment. Another key theme is **Unfulfilled Inheritance and Disobedience**, as the Danites' failure to fully occupy their God-given land highlights the consequences of Israel's incomplete obedience and lack of faith in God's power to grant victory. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Human Initiative vs. Divine Guidance**, as the Danites embark on a self-directed quest for land rather than seeking God's direction or relying on His strength to overcome their existing challenges.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melek'_):** The term `מלך` (*melek*) refers to a sovereign ruler. In the context of Judges, the repeated phrase "no king in Israel" is not merely a historical observation about the absence of a human monarch (who would only be established later with Saul), but a profound theological commentary. It signifies a spiritual and moral vacuum, indicating that Israel had largely abandoned God's rule over their lives, leading to societal breakdown and individual "doing what was right in their own eyes." This absence of a human king foreshadows the later desire for one, while simultaneously highlighting the nation's failure to live under the true divine King.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _naḥălâ'_):** The word `נחלה` (*naḥălâ*) denotes an inherited possession, specifically referring to the land allotted to each tribe by divine decree and lot ([Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Division of the Land")). This was not merely real estate; it was a covenantal promise, a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and Israel's identity as His people. The fact that the Danites' inheritance "had not fallen unto them" implies not only a practical failure to dispossess enemies but also a theological failure to fully claim and live within the blessings and responsibilities of their covenant relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ In those days [there was] no king in Israel:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the prevailing socio-political and spiritual climate of the era. It is a recurring editorial comment by the Deuteronomistic historian, signaling a period of profound disunity, moral decay, and a lack of central, God-ordained leadership. It sets the stage for the chaotic events that follow, where human will supplants divine law.
* **"and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in;"** This clause introduces the specific problem of the Danite tribe. Despite having been allotted land, they were actively seeking new territory. This "seeking" (Hebrew: `בקש`, *biqqēš*) implies an active, deliberate search for a solution to their unfulfilled possession, driven by their own initiative rather than a renewed appeal to God for strength to conquer their assigned land.
* **"for unto that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel."** This final clause provides the reason for the Danites' quest. Their original inheritance, though divinely apportioned, remained largely unconquered or untenable. The phrase "had not fallen unto them" (Hebrew: `לא נפלה`, *lō' nāp̄lâ*) indicates that the land had not been fully possessed or settled, highlighting their failure to complete the conquest and secure their portion among the other tribes who had, to varying degrees, established themselves.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrase "In those days," which frames the entire period of the Judges as one marked by the absence of a king, thereby emphasizing the chaotic nature of the era. This repetition also highlights the **Foreshadowing** of Israel's future desire for a human king, even as it subtly critiques the present state of leaderless anarchy. There is a strong element of **Irony** in the Danites' situation: they were given a divine inheritance but failed to possess it, leading them to seek a new one through their own means. This failure to fully occupy their God-given land, despite God's promises, underscores the tragic consequences of Israel's disobedience. Furthermore, the "no king" phrase functions as a **Metonymy**, where the absence of a political leader stands in for the deeper spiritual and moral anarchy pervading the nation, where God's rule was effectively rejected.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 18:1 profoundly illustrates the consequences of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness and incomplete obedience. The Danites' failure to secure their inheritance reflects a broader national pattern of spiritual compromise and a lack of trust in God's power to enable them to fully dispossess their enemies. This verse underscores the theological truth that true security and flourishing come not from human ingenuity or strength, but from faithful adherence to God's commands and reliance on His provision. The "no king" refrain points to the deeper issue of Israel's rejection of God's ultimate kingship, leading to a state where moral relativism ("everyone did what was right in his own eyes") reigned supreme, resulting in societal breakdown and spiritual decay. It highlights the inherent human need for righteous leadership, both human and divine, to maintain order and uphold God's covenant.

* [Deuteronomy 12:8](/deuteronomy/12-8 "Deuteronomy 12:8 - Doing What is Right in Your Own Eyes")
* [Joshua 19:40-48](/joshua/19-40 "Joshua 19:40-48 - The Allotment for the Tribe of Dan")
* [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Lot")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 18:1 serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of spiritual and moral drift when there is an absence of clear, God-ordained authority and a commitment to His revealed will. The Danites' struggle to possess their inheritance, leading them to seek new territory, mirrors our own tendency to abandon the spiritual ground God has given us in Christ when faced with challenges, instead pursuing self-devised solutions. This verse calls us to examine where we might be operating without acknowledging Christ as our true King, allowing personal preferences or worldly pressures to dictate our actions rather than the clear commands of Scripture. It challenges us to fully "possess" our spiritual inheritance in Christ, which includes walking in obedience, exercising faith, and standing firm against spiritual adversaries, rather than retreating from the call to live out our faith fully in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be acting as if "there is no king," making decisions based solely on my own judgment rather than God's revealed will?**
* **Am I fully "possessing" the spiritual inheritance and promises God has given me in Christ, or am I retreating from challenges and seeking alternative, human-devised solutions?**
* **How does the absence of righteous leadership, whether in a family, church, or community, contribute to moral and spiritual decline, and what is my role in upholding godly authority?**

### FAQ

**Why was there "no king in Israel" at this time?**

Answer: At this point in Israel's history, after the death of Joshua and before the establishment of the monarchy under Saul, Israel was structured as a tribal confederacy. God Himself was intended to be their ultimate King, ruling through His law and covenant. However, the phrase "no king in Israel" in [Judges 18:1](/judges/18-1 "Judges 18:1 - No King in Israel") and elsewhere in the latter part of Judges is a theological commentary, not just a historical observation. It signifies that the people were largely ignoring God's rule and His covenant laws, leading to a breakdown of order, morality, and unity. This spiritual vacuum meant that "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")), resulting in the chaos and violence depicted in the book.

**Why hadn't the Danites secured their inheritance?**

Answer: The tribe of Dan's original inheritance was located in a fertile but strategically challenging area, bordering the Philistines and the Amorites ([Joshua 19:40-48](/joshua/19-40 "Joshua 19:40-48 - The Allotment for the Tribe of Dan")). According to [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - Danites Pressed by Amorites"), the Amorites "pressed the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley." This indicates a failure on the part of the Danites to fully dispossess the inhabitants of their allotted land, as God had commanded. Their inability or unwillingness to drive out these enemies, perhaps due to a lack of faith or military strength, meant they could not fully settle their inheritance, forcing them to seek new territory elsewhere.

**How does this story relate to the broader message of Judges?**

Answer: The story of the Danites in [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Migration of Dan") serves as a vivid illustration of the overarching themes of the Book of Judges. It exemplifies the cycle of disobedience, oppression, and incomplete deliverance that characterized the era. The Danites' failure to secure their inheritance reflects Israel's broader spiritual failure to fully obey God's commands and trust in His power. The "no king in Israel" refrain highlights the moral and spiritual anarchy that resulted from the absence of faithful leadership and the people's rejection of God's ultimate authority. The Danites' actions, marked by idolatry and violence, are a microcosm of the widespread moral decay and self-serving behavior that pervaded Israel when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The End of the Book of Judges")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 18:1, with its lamentable declaration that "In those days there was no king in Israel," powerfully foreshadows humanity's desperate need for a true and righteous King, a need ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The chaos, moral decay, and unfulfilled inheritance of the Judges era are direct consequences of humanity's rebellion against God's rightful rule, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." This spiritual anarchy finds its ultimate resolution in Christ, who is not merely a temporary human leader, but the eternal [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"). He perfectly embodies the righteous authority that Israel lacked, establishing a kingdom of justice and peace. Furthermore, the Danites' failure to possess their physical inheritance points to the deeper spiritual inheritance that we, as believers, receive through Christ. While they struggled to secure their earthly portion, Christ, through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, has secured for us an [imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable") in the heavenly realms. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and [transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness"), where our rest and true possession are found not in a geographical location, but in Him ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - Rest for the People of God")). Thus, Jesus is not only the King who brings order to our lives but also the one who fully secures and enables us to possess our spiritual inheritance in God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 17:6

In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.

Judges 19:1

¶ And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

Judges 1:34

And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:

Joshua 19:40

¶ [And] the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.

Joshua 19:48

This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Judges 21:25

In those days [there was] no king in Israel: every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.