Judges

The Book of Judges, possibly written by Samual around 1000-1400 BC, recounts a period in Israel's history following their settlement in the Promised Land. The book tells the story of a cycle where Israel turns away from God, faces foreign oppression, cries out for deliverance, and then receives temporary relief through divinely appointed judges like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson.

Israel Fights The Remaining Canaanites - Chapter 1

After Joshua's death, the Israelites consult the Lord about who should lead the way in the ongoing conquest of the Canaanites. The tribe of Judah is chosen and they request assistance from the tribe of Simeon to capture the city of Bezek. Judah and Simeon succeed by conquering the land, capturing, and killing Adoni-bezek, the Canaanite king. The tribes continue their conquest, with mixed results. Some of the tribes fully conquer their allotted territories, while others do not and instead make treaties with the Canaanites. This incomplete conquest leads to lingering Canaanite influences among the Israelites.

The Angel Of The Lord At Bokim - Chapter 2

An angel of the LORD rebukes the Israelites at Bochim for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the Canaanites and disobeying His commands. As a consequence, the angel said that God would not drive out the Canaanites and that they would be traps and snares to the Israelites. Traps and snares in this context symbolize the temptation to follow the Canaanites' idolatrous practices and other pagan temptations.

Disobedience And Defeat

After Joshua's death, a new generation of Israelites are introduced who do not know the Lord or the deeds He had done for Israel. This generation, and after, turn away from God, worship idols, and engage in many other forms of sin. This leads God to allow neighboring nations to oppress the Israelites as a form of punishment. When the people cry out in distress, God raises up judges to deliver them. The Israelites repeat their unfaithfulness and idol worship, leading to more oppression. The passage illustrates the recurring pattern of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the era of the judges.

Disobedience And Defeat - Chapter 3

The LORD's plan for testing the Israelites is outlined. The LORD left several nations, including the Philistines, the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites, among others, to test the Israelites' new generation and teach them the art of warfare and reliance on the Lord.

Othniel

During this period, the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and were enslaved by Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram Naharaim, for eight years. In response to the Israelites' cries for help, the Lord raised up Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, to deliver them. Othniel defeated King Cushan-Rishathaim and brought peace to the land for forty years.

Ehud

The Israelites again did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and He allowed them to be oppressed, this time by Eglon, the Moabite king. After eighteen years, the Israelites cried out for help. God raised up Ehud, a left-handed man, who assassinated King Eglon. This act led to a revolt against the Moabites, resulting in the Israelites gaining freedom for eighty years.

Shamgar

Shamgar, another judge, delivered Israel by killing 600 Philistines with an ox goad. An ox goad is a long, pointed wooden tool used for prodding or guiding oxen while plowing or pulling a cart, typically featuring a sharp metal tip at one end.

Deborah - Chapter 4

The Israelites once again fell into evil, leading to their oppression by Jabin, a Canaanite king, and his commander Sisera for twenty years. In response, the prophetess Deborah, who was also a judge, summoned Barak, an Israelite warrior, to lead an army against Sisera. Barak hesitated but agreed under the condition that Deborah accompanies him. During battle, God caused panic among Sisera's forces, and Sisera fled, seeking refuge in Jael's tent. She welcomed him and, when he slept, drove a tent peg through his head. As a result, Israel's forces routed the Canaanites.

The Song Of Deborah - Chapter 5

Deborah and Barak, a warrior, sing praises to God for His role in the triumph. The song begins by summoning the leaders and warriors to listen, emphasizing the importance of recounting God's acts. It celebrates the volunteers from various tribes who willingly joined the battle. However, it also criticizes those who held back or remained indifferent to the call for action. Deborah and Barak hail the bravery of Jael, who killed Sisera, the Canaanite commander, contrasting her valor with the hesitation of the rulers of Israel who failed to commit to the battle. The poem vividly describes Sisera's mother anxiously awaiting her son's return, unaware of his demise. The Song of Deborah concludes by highlighting the flourishing victory, the renewal of Israel's dedication to God, and the ultimate demise of their oppressors. It portrays the powerful and inspirational role of strong, courageous women like Deborah and Jael in Israel's deliverance.

Gideon - Chapter 6

The Israelites' disobedience led to seven years of Midianite oppression. They sought refuge in caves, and their crops and livestock were plundered. God sent a prophet to remind them of their covenant and urge repentance. Gideon, a young man, was chosen as a judge by God. Gideon was hesitant so he sought signs from God and ultimately obeyed God's command to tear down his father's altar to Baal, which stirred the anger of the townspeople. With God's reassurance, Gideon gathered an army but was told it was too large, reducing it to just 300 men. They defeated the Midianites, illustrating the power of faith and obedience. Gideon then rejected kingship, and Israel had temporary peace under his leadership.

Gideon Defeats The Midianites - Chapter 7

Gideon has an army of 22,000 men. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army to demonstrate that victory would be achieved through divine intervention rather than the might of numbers, emphasizing the importance of trust and faith in God's power. Gideon, with his now reduced army of 300 men, prepares to face the Midianites and their allies. God instructs Gideon to attack their camp at night. Gideon divides his men into three groups, equipping each with trumpets, empty jars, and torches concealed within the jars. They surround the Midianite camp and, at Gideon's signal, blow their trumpets, shatter their jars, and shout "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" The Midianites panic, turning on each other in confusion. Gideon and his men pursue and defeat them, capturing their leaders.

Zebah And Zalmunna - Chapter 8

After Gideon's victory over the Midianites, he is confronted by Ephraimite warriors who feel excluded from the battle. Gideon appeases them with kind words. Gideon pursues the fleeing Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, and captures them. Returning, Gideon confronts the men of Succoth and Penuel, who had refused to aid him during the battle. Gideon punishes them for their lack of support. Gideon then kills Zebah and Zalmunna, avenging the deaths of his brothers.

Gideon's Ephod

The Israelites ask Gideon to rule over them and establish a hereditary monarchy. Gideon refuses and instead requests gold earrings, which the Israelites willingly provide. Gideon uses the gold to create an ephod, a religious object. This act inadvertently leads to idolatry as the Israelites begin to worship the ephod.

Gideon's Death

After Gideon's death, Israelites turned to idolatry, specifically worshiping the ephod Gideon made. The Isrealites rebellious behavior led to their suffering again including threats from neighboring nations. Despite the earlier victories and deliverance under Gideon's leadership, the Israelites' recurring disobedience resulted in a return to spiritual decline and hardships, exemplifying the ongoing cycle of faithfulness and apostasy in the era of the judges.

Abimelek - Chapter 9

Following Gideon's death, his son Abimelek, born from a concubine, seeks to establish kingship over Israel. Abimelek conspires with the leaders of Shechem to support his claim. Abimelek's scheme includes the murder of his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, who escapes. Jotham delivers a parable condemning Abimelek and the Shechemites. Abimelek defeats the Shechemites but is killed by a millstone thrown by a woman. Abimelek's death leads to a period of turmoil, highlighting the consequences of pursuing power at the expense of moral and ethical standards.

Tola - Chapter 10

Tola, son of Puah, judged Israel for 23 years.

Jair

Tola from the tribe of Gilead judged Israel for 22 years.

Jephthah

The Israelites, once again in a cycle of disobedience, face oppression from the Ammonites and Philistines. They cry out to God for deliverance. God reminds them of their previous unfaithfulness and refuses immediate help. After heartfelt repentance, God appoints Jephthah as their leader, emphasizing the importance of genuine repentance in seeking God's assistance.

Jephthah (cont.) - Chapter 11

Jephthah is chosen to lead the Israelites against the Ammonites. Before the battle, Jephthah seeks peace with the Ammonite king but is denied. Jephthah makes a vow to God, promising a burnt offering if victorious. Under Jephthah's leadership, the Israelites win a decisive victory. Jephthah's vow leads to the sacrifice of his daughter. The story of Jephthah illustrates the cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance prevalent in the book of Judges. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the seriousness of making rash vows and the consequences of such vows. While Jephthah's leadership secures victory for Israel, his personal tragedy is a poignant reminder of the moral complexities of the time.

Jephthah And Ephraim - Chapter 12

After the victory against the Ammonites, the Ephraimites confront Jephthah, feeling slighted for not being included in the battle. This disagreement escalates into a deadly conflict, with the Gileadites defeating the Ephraimites. Jephthah's leadership leads to a bitter intertribal rivalry, demonstrating the recurring theme of strife among the Israelite tribes during this period.

Ibzan, Elon And Abdon

Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, each ruled over Israel and were buried in their respective towns. These leaders, mentioned briefly, contributed to maintaining order in Israel during a time marked by frequent shifts in leadership.

The Birth Of Samson - Chapter 13

Israel once again fell into disobedience, leading to their oppression by the Philistines for forty years. An angel of the Lord appears to the barren wife of Manoah, foretelling the birth of a Nazirite child who would deliver Israel. Manoah seeks confirmation, and the angel reappears to both him and his wife. Manoah offers a sacrifice, and as the flames ascend, the angel ascends in the fire. Manoah and his wife realize they have encountered an angel of the Lord. They name their son Samson, who grows up to become one of the most famous judges in Israel's history, known for his great strength and distinctive Nazirite vow. The Nazirite vow was a voluntary commitment, often for a specific period, in which an individual would consecrate themselves to God by refraining from consuming wine and grape products, avoiding contact with the dead, and allowing their hair to grow without cutting it.

Samson's Marriage - Chapter 14

Samson, led by a desire to marry a Philistine woman, encounters a lion on his journey. Empowered by God, he tears the lion apart with his bare hands. Later, he finds a swarm of bees in the lion's carcass, from which he scoops honey to eat and share with his parents. At a feast celebrating his upcoming wedding, Samson proposes a riddle to the Philistine guests. Unable to solve it, they pressure Samson's fiancée to obtain the answer, which she does. This situation leads to a confrontation, and to fulfill the riddle, Samson kills thirty Philistines, taking their garments to settle the wager. Samson's actions foreshadow his ongoing conflicts with the Philistines and his tendency to act independently of Israel's leaders.

Samson's Vengeance On The Philistines - Chapter 15

Samson returns to his wife, only to find her married to another man. In retaliation, he captures and releases three hundred foxes with torches tied to their tails, setting fire to Philistine fields. This act triggers a violent response, with the Philistines burning Samson's wife and her father. Samson retaliates, striking down many Philistines in retribution. The remaining Philistines confront the people of Judah, demanding Samson's capture. The Judahites comply and hand Samson over. Tied with new ropes, he breaks free, slaying a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey.

Samson And Delilah - Chapter 16

Samson becomes involved with Delilah, a Philistine woman whom the Philistine rulers persuade to discover the secret of his strength. She presses him to reveal the source of his power, and Samson initially deceives her. Three times he tells her false ways to weaken him, but each time she attempts to use these, the Philistines ambush him. In frustration, Samson eventually discloses that his uncut hair is the source of his strength. While he sleeps, Delilah arranges for someone to cut his hair, leading to his capture.

The Death Of Samson

Imprisoned and blinded by the Philistines, Samson is forced to work as a grinder in their mill. During a festive gathering of Philistine leaders in the temple of Dagon, they bring out Samson to entertain them. Samson prays to God for strength one last time and, positioned between the two central pillars supporting the temple, he pushes them down. The temple collapses, killing Samson and a multitude of Philistines. Samson's final act of strength brings retribution upon his oppressors and fulfills his role as a deliverer of Israel from the Philistines.

The Danites Settle In Laish - Chapter 17

A man named Micah, from the tribe of Ephraim, confesses to his mother that he stole her money, and she offers a blessing upon him. Micah returns the money, and his mother decides to dedicate some of it to God. Micah constructs a shrine with idols, hires a Levite as his priest, and believes he has secured God's favor. At this time, Israel had no king to lead them so the Israelites all did what they wanted. This story exemplifies the spiritual and moral chaos in Israel during this period, with individuals seeking their own path to worship.

The Danites Settle In Laish - Chapter 18

A group of Danites, seeking territory to settle, sends five men to scout the land. The Danites visit Micah's house and recognize the Levite serving as Micah's priest. Upon consulting the priest for guidance, they decide to steal Micah's idols and take the Levite with them to provide spiritual guidance. Micah's attempts to recover his idols fail, and the Danites continue their journey. The Danites capture the city of Laish, renaming it Dan, and establish a new place of worship with the stolen idol.

A Levite And His Concubine - Chapter 19

During the time in which Israel still had no king, A Levite and his concubine travel to the territory of the Benjamites, seeking refuge for the night. An old man takes them in, but during the night, the men of Gibeah demand to sexually abuse the Levite. The old man offers his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine instead, and the concubine is brutally raped and abused, ultimately dying at the doorstep. The Levite takes her lifeless body, cuts it into pieces, and sends them to the tribes of Israel. This shocking incident triggers a collective response from the Israelites and leads to a war against the tribe of Benjamin.

The Israelites Punish The Benjamites - Chapter 20

The brutal incident involving the Levite's concubine prompts a collective response from the tribes of Israel. The Israelites assemble at Mizpah to address the crime committed by the Benjamites of Gibeah. The Levite describes the horrifying events, and the Israelites send a demand to the Benjamites to deliver the wrongdoers for punishment, but the Benjamites refuse. A war ensues, with Israel initially suffering significant losses. However, they eventually strategize to lure the Benjamites into an ambush, leading to their defeat. Thousands of Benjamites are killed and the Israelites take over the Benjamites' towns.

Wives For The Benjamites - Chapter 21

Following the brutal civil war between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, the Israelites mourn the near-annihilation of Benjamin. Realizing the need to provide wives for the remaining Benjamite men, the Israelites devise a plan. They forbid the people of Jabesh-gilead from participating in a communal assembly and then attack and slaughter the city, taking 400 virgins as potential wives for the Benjamites. However, this leaves a shortage, so they suggest an annual festival in Shiloh where young women dance, allowing the remaining Benjamite men to kidnap them as brides. The elders assure the women's families that they are not responsible for the kidnappings, and the Benjamites obtain the wives they need, ensuring the survival of the tribe.