Judges 17-21 tells the story of the idolatry, immorality, and anarchy that existed in Israel during the time of the judges. It introduces two main characters, Micah and his Levite priest, who create an idol and worship it in their home. Later, the tribe of Dan steals Micah's idol and hires the Levite to serve as their priest. The final chapters of the book describe a horrific event in which a woman is brutally murdered and dismembered, leading to a civil war among the tribes of Israel.

Noteworthy Elements:

1. Micah and his Levite priest's creation of an idol and establishment of a false worship system
2. The theft of the idol by the tribe of Dan and their hiring of the Levite priest
3. The brutal murder and dismemberment of a woman from the tribe of Benjamin, leading to a civil war among the tribes of Israel
4. The repeated refrain in the book, "In those days, there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
5. The book serves as a commentary on the moral and social decline of Israel during the time of the judges.

Study Questions:

1. What does the story of Micah and the Levite priest reveal about the spiritual state of Israel during the time of the judges?
2. Why do you think the tribe of Dan felt the need to steal Micah's idol and hire the Levite priest?
3. How does the murder of the woman from Benjamin highlight the dangers of lawlessness and anarchy?
4. What can we learn about the consequences of idolatry and false worship from the book of Judges?
5. How does the refrain, "In those days, there was no king in Israel," serve as a warning to modern-day believers?