Introduction
The Hebrew Bible, as well as all of the ancient versions, calls the title of this book “Judges.” To use the term “judges” to describe the individuals in this book is somewhat misleading. In Hebrew, a “judge” was not only a judicial figure but a leader in many other areas as well—including, but not limited to, military and administrative functions. Some would suggest that a more descriptive rendering would be “deliverers” or even “saviors.” In this book are some of the most exciting and dramatic events in the Scripture. The details selected for inclusion in this literally accurate history demonstrate a specific philosophy of history, which may be summarized in four phases:
- Sin is the first step. It is described in words such as these: “And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” Sometimes there is some amplification of this statement.
- Servitude is the second step. The Bible says of the Lord that “He sold them into the hands of…[The enemy is named here.].” Often the servitude is further defined—“and the sons of Israel served…[again the name of the enemy] for…years” and the number of years is specified.
- Supplication is the third step. “And when the sons of Israel cried to the Lord,…” Again, this step is often expanded and explained.
- Salvation is the fourth step. This refers only to deliverance—political and military. This step delineates the giving of a judge to liberate the people: “The Lord raised up a deliverer for them” and, of course, the deliverer is named.
This pattern is repeated for all six of the major judges.
| SIN | SERVITUDE | SUPPLICATION | SALVATION | |
| Othniel | 3:7 | 3:8 | 3:9a | 3:9b |
| Ehud | 3:12a | 3:12b-14 | 3:15a | 3:15b |
| Deborah/Barak | 4:1 | 4:2 | 4:3 | 4:4-6 |
| Gideon | 6:1a | 6:1b-6 | 6:7 | 6:11 |
After two introductory chapters, the main body of the book comprises Chapters 3 through 16. In these chapters are presented thirteen judges, of whom six (or seven if Deborah and Barak are counted separately) are major judges and six are minor judges. The major judges are:
Othniel, who overcame the Mesopotamian King Cushan-rishathaim;
Ehud, who slew Eglon, the fat king of Moab;
Deborah (and Barak), who defeated Sisera;
Gideon, the conqueror of the Midianites;
Jephthah of the rash vow; and
Samson of the lost strength.
Interspersed with them are the seven minor judges, who are:
Shamgar, the Ox-Goad judge (between Ehud and Deborah);
Tola, the judge from Issachar (between Gideon and Jephthah);
Jair, the judge from Gilead (following Tola, between Gideon and Jephthah);
Ibzan, the judge from Bethlehem (between Jephthah and Samson);
Elon, the judge from Zebulon (following Ibzan, between Jephthah and Samson); and
Abdon, the family judge (following Elon, between Jephthah and Samson).
In Chapters 17—21 there are two stories demonstrating the dismal morality of the time. In Chapters 17 and 18 the reader is told about the Danite migration and of Micah and his graven image. The narrative of Chapters 19 through 21 tells of the almost total destruction of the tribe of Benjamin by fellow Israelites and of the attempt to find wives for the 600 Benjamites who were spared.
The historical period of the judges begins after the period of Joshua and the elders; Joshua died about 1390 B.C.; the elders continued ruling for about fifteen more years, giving a date of about 1375 B.C. as the beginning date for the Judges period. Since Saul became king in 1050 B.C., this gives a maximum period of 325 years. None of the major judges overlapped (with the probable exception of Jephthah and Samson), but some of the judges probably governed contemporaneously.
Outline
After Joshua
Missed Opportunities and Israel’s Foes, 1:1-36
Many Sins and Israel’s Failure, 2:1—3:6
Administration of the Judges—Deliverance from the Six Periods of Servitude
Mesopotamia and Deliverance by Othniel, 3:7-11
Moab
Deliverance by Ehud, 3:12-30
Shamgar, 3:31
Military Threat: Canaan and Deliverance by Deborah and Barak, 4:1—5:31
Midian
Deliverance by Gideon, 6:1—8:32
Usurpation by Abimelech, 9:1-57
Tola, 10:1-2
Jair, 10:3-5
Merger of Ammon and Philistia
Deliverance by Jephthah, 10:6—11:40
Gilead versus Ephraim, 12:1-7
Ibzan, 12:8-10
Elon, 12:11-12
Abdon, 12:13-15
Menacing Threat: Philistia and Exploits of Samson, 13:1—16:31
Appendices
Micah and the Danites, 17:1—18:31
Moral Degradation, 19:1—21:25
Reading Judges
- 1-5, Causes of the cycles of judgment
- 6-8, Gideon and Midian
- 9-12, A King and Six Judges in Israel
- 13-16, Samson and Philistia
- 17-21, Conditions during the cycles of judgment
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