25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
25 At that time there was no king in Israel. People did whatever they felt like doing.
25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 21:25
Chapter Contents
The Israelites lament for the Benjamites.
Israel lamented for the Benjamites, and were perplexed by the oath they had taken, not to give their daughters to them in marriage. Men are more zealous to support their own authority than that of God. They would have acted better if they had repented of their rash oaths, brought sin-offerings, and sought forgiveness in the appointed way, rather than attempt to avoid the guilt of perjury by actions quite as wrong. That men can advise others to acts of treachery or violence, out of a sense of duty, forms a strong proof of the blindness of the human mind when left to itself, and of the fatal effects of a conscience under ignorance and error.