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Old TestamentJudges 17:2History
“The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you—I took them. What shall I do?”

The full verse · Judges 17:2 · KJV

And he unto his , The eleven shekels of that were from thee, about which thou , and of also in mine , behold, the ; I it. And his , be thou of the , my .

Asked by

Micah

Asked to

Mother

Why It Was Asked

Micah’s question arises from self-reflection and confession regarding the silver he took from his mother. He seeks guidance on what to do with the money, indicating some awareness of wrongdoing. The narrative fits within Judges’ theme of moral decay and personal responsibility (Judges 17:2).

The Response

Micah’s mother responded with blessing and affirmation, saying, ‘The Lord bless you, my son!’ (Judges 17:2). She did not rebuke but encouraged him, indicating acceptance of his confession and perhaps overlooking the moral implications, reflecting the complexity of their idolatrous household.

The Bigger Picture

Wiersbe emphasizes that Micah’s question reveals a conscience troubled by sin but lacking clear moral direction, reflective of Israel’s spiritual confusion (Judges 17:2). Henry notes the mother’s blessing shows familial affection despite moral failure, illustrating how sin can be normalized in culture. Together, these insights highlight the tension between personal awareness and communal complicity in sin. The passage challenges believers to confront sin honestly and seek God’s blessing through obedience (Psalm 51:6). Micah’s question is not merely rhetorical; it is a call to repentance and rightful stewardship under God’s authority (Exodus 20:15), reminding us that even in flawed circumstances, God’s blessing and guidance remain available.

For Your Life Today

Today, Micah’s question encourages self-examination about integrity and stewardship (Proverbs 3:9; Luke 16:11). Confessing wrongdoing and seeking counsel is vital. The story warns against rationalizing sin and ignoring God’s ownership of all possessions (Psalm 24:1). Believers should practice honesty and honor within family and community (Ephesians 4:25).

Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources