In those days there was no king in Israel: See verse 17.6. Though some versions think a new section begins here (New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation), it seems more likely that this part of 18.1 closes the episode concerning Micah and the Levite. In this context it reminds readers that Micah’s actions and observations are based on his own way of thinking. Another reason for making this division is that the phrase In those days appears again in the second half of this verse below, seemingly opening a new section.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .