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Micah’s mother had asked her son to make a carved image and a metal image and dedicated it to the Lord for her son. Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons as his priest.¹ In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes² (Four times this message would be repeated. In context, to understand the significance of the repetitive verses, know that the Hebrew writers stressed an important point by repetition—thus, observe for any words or phrases that repeat). A Levite came along. Micah commissioned him as his personal priest. Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest.”³

In those days there was no king in Israel.⁴ The tribe of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in. So the people of Dan sent 5 able men to spy the land. They came back with a good report, “Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will we do nothing? . . . Then they took for themselves Micah’s idols. And invited the priest to be their father and priest.⁵

In those days there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite . . . took to himself a concubine.⁶ The concubine proved unfaithful and left. Her husband went after her. She introduced him to her father. He was enticed to stay for five days. When they got to Gibeah an old man hosted them. But the men of the city, worthless fellows, abused the Levite’s concubine all night. In the morning, the woman came and fell down; she was discovered lifeless. So he took a knife and divided her into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout the whole territory of Israel.⁷ In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.⁸

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel . . . When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.⁹

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.¹⁰

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. . . . “Truly, truly, I say to you I am the door of the sheep. . . . If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.¹¹ And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.¹²

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me . . .¹³

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”¹⁴ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished . . . bowed his head and gave up his spirit.¹⁵