Judges

Narrative traces the period between conquering of Canaan and beginning of monarchy. The
people of Israel fall into a cycle of rebellion, judgment, and deliverance by a series of judges.

Theme. Disobedience and Deliverance

Summary. Judges takes place in the years just after the conquest—a period of struggle as the
Israelites’ faith weakened. Their stories follow a cyclical pattern: Israel turns from God, so God
sends their enemies to oppress them. Israel cries out to God, so God raises up a judge to
deliver them. While that judge lives, Israel follows God. When the judge dies, the cycle begins
again, but at each cycle Israel falls further.

Purpose. To demonstrate the consequences of failing to remain faithful to God and the
benefit of repentance.

Message. Failing to submit to God’s rule leads to disorder, immorality, corruption, and
destruction.

Details
Kind History
Language Hebrew
Biblical Era Judges Govern Israel
Hebrew Division Nevi’im (Prophets)
Protestant History
Division
Catholic Division Historical Books
Key Verse Jdg 2:16–17
Key People Deborah (judge); Delilah; Ehud (son of Gera); Gideon; 300 Men of
Gideon; Midianites (Judges); Philistines (Judges); Samson; Asherites
(Judges); Manassites (Judges); Naphtalites (Judges)
Key Places Abel-meholah; Beth-shittah; Moreh (hill); Tabbath
Key Things Jehoash’s Altar to Baal; Gideon’s Altar; Manoah’s Altar
Key Events  Gideon defeats Midian
Composition Date
Bible Knowledge 1051–1004 BC
Commentary:

Stats
Chapters 21
Verses 618
Words 15,500

ESV Introduction
Judges is named after an interesting collection of individuals who led Israel after Joshua’s death
until the rise of the monarchy under Samuel (up to about 1050 B.C.). In this time of national
decline, despite their promise to keep the covenant (Josh. 24:16–18) the people turned from
the Lord and began to worship other gods. “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6;
21:25). A pattern repeats throughout the book: 1) the people abandoned the Lord; 2) God
punished them by raising up a foreign power to oppress them; 3) the people cried out to God
for deliverance; and 4) God raised up a deliverer, or judge, for them. The author of the book is
unknown, although some Jewish tradition ascribes it to Samuel.