In those days, when there was no king in Israel: See verse 17.6. This clause helps to tie together the final five chapters of Judges. Many scholars see it as the conclusion of the first appendix (17.1–19.1a). This is further confirmed by the fact that the following sentence begins with the Hebrew expression wayehi (literally “And it was”), which often begins a new unit. If this analysis is adopted, then each of the appendices ends with the key expression there was no king in Israel. However, if 19.1a is considered to be the introduction of the second appendix, then this expression forms an inclusio around it (19.1a; verse 21.25). Translators must decide which analysis fits best and format their translation accordingly. If it is part of the first appendix, there will be a break in the middle of 19.1.

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 .