The Book of Judges
by Owen Borville
August 7, 2020
Bible
Timeline: 1375 B.C. to 1075 B.C.
The Book of Judges in the Bible represents a time after the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites that re-established the Nation of Israel in their ancestral homeland and the death of their leader Joshua. After Joshua's death, a series of a dozen judges ruled Israel. The judges led Israel, leading them to military victory from their enemies. However, during the period of Judges in Israel's history, the Israelites failed to live up to the covenant that the Lord God set with the Israeli people under Moses and Joshua. This failure included the worship of pagan idols and gods of the surrounding nations and the failure to fully defeat the Canaanite peoples in the land. There were times of repentance where the Israelites came back to full obedience to the Lord, but this was followed by periods of disobedience to the Lord and the covenant made with the Lord. The Israelite peoples seem to become progressively less obedient to the Lord's covenant during the period of the Judges and before the Kingdom was established under Saul, David, and Solomon. The future Kingdom will have Jesus Christ on the Throne as the Highest Judge, as many future prophets would predict. Samuel is traditionally credited as the author of the Book of Judges.
Israelites Fight the Remaining Canaanites: Judges 1
Israelites Don't Fully Destroy Canaanites, Make Them Slaves
Angel of the Lord at Bokim, Disobedience and Idols, Defeat: Judges 2
An angel urges Israelites to obey the Lord. A new generation of Israelites didn't know the Lord. Then the Lord raised up judges to lead Israel, but when the Judge died, disobedience returned. This cycle repeated during the time of the dozen judges of Israel until a stronger leader was introduced.
Judges of Israel
After the Israelites fell into sin with idols, God sent a series of judges to save the Israelites.
16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. 17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so. 18 And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. Judges 2:16-19.
Remaining Nations Left to Test the Israelites Faith
1 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; 3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath. Judges 3:1-3.
The First Judges of Israel: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar: Judges 3
Othniel, the first of the Biblical judges, son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, defeated Cushan-Rishathaim, King of Aram, who had oppressed the Israelites for eight years after the Israelites fell into sin. After the Israelites cried out to the Lord, Othniel was appointed to deliver the Israelites and defeated Aram. The land had peace for 40 years.
Ehud: The Israelites sinned again and was defeated by Eglon, King of Moab, subject to him for 18 years. After the Israelites cried out to the Lord, Ehud was sent to deliver the Israelites. Ehud slew Eglon in his palace. Ehud and the Israelites defeated Moab. The land then had peace for eighty years.
Shamgar delivered the Israelites against the Philistines, killing 600 of them.
Deborah Judges Israel: Judges 4
Deborah, a prophetess, is the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Deborah is derived from the Hebrew name meaning bee. Deborah was the wife of Lapidoth. As judge, Deborah, told Barak, Israel's military commander, to attack the Canaanites and King Jabin of Canaan, who was oppressing Israel, and Canaan's military commander Sisera at Mount Tabor. The Israelites defeated Jabin and the Canaanites. Sisera escaped but was executed in the tent of Jael, a woman, when she hammered a tent peg into his temple.
Song of Deborah: Judges 5
Judges 5 accounts the Song of Deborah, a poetic chapter and victory hymn. Sisera is defeated completely and executed by Jael, a woman, in a tent. After the victory, there would be 40 years of peace in the land.
Gideon Led Israel: Judges 6
Gideon Defeated the Midianites: Judges 7
Gideon Defeated Zebah and Zalmunna: Judges 8
Gideon, (also called Jerubbaal) (Judges 6-8), a young man from the tribe of Manasseh, known for leading the defeat of the Midianites, who had been oppressing the Israelites for seven years. God called Gideon to lead Israel to victory and to condemn idol worship. Gideon struggled with faith because the Israelites were suffering so much. Gideon led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites despite being greatly outnumbered (only 300 men). The Angel of the Lord greeted Gideon and said, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor." Judges 6:11. Gideon requested a sign from God: The Angel of the Lord appeared and caused fire to come up from a rock (Judges 6:11-22). The sign of the dew on the fleece was also given along with the sign of the dew on the ground (Judges 6:37-40). Gideon destroyed the idol statues.
Abimelech Lead Israel: Judges 9
Abimelech, son of Gideon, became judge of Israel and wickedly murdered 70 of his brothers, with one, Jotham, escaping. God punished Abimelech later as a woman dropped a millstone on his head, cracking his skull and leaving him almost dead. He asked his servant to stab him to death so they couldn't say "A woman killed him."
Tola led Israel 23 years (Judges 10). Jair led Israel 22 years (Judges 10).
Jephthah Lead Israel: Judges 10
Jephthah led Israel six years.
Jephthah Defeated Amorites, Ammonites, Sacrificed Daughter: Judges 11
Jephthah sacrificed his daughter to the Lord upon an oath from returning from the Ammonites. He vowed to sacrifice to the Lord whatever comes through the door of his house if he returned home from an Ammonite victory, which he did and which happened to be his daughter and only child. He was bitterly upset but carried out the sacrifice after a two month grace period.
Jephthah's Leadership Continues: Judges 12
Later Jephthah also defeated the Ephraimites, 42,000 of them, who refused to help him against the Ammonites and were identified by their accent (Judges 12).
Ibzan led Israel seven years (Judges 12). Elon led Israel ten years (Judges 12). Abdon led Israel eight years (Judges 12).
The Birth of Samson: Judges 13
Samson (Judges 13-16)(1075 B.C.) was the last of the judges of Israel, serving 20 years. Samson, a Nazirite from the tribe of Dan, born to Manoah and his wife, was a very strong man, and his strength was even described as supernatural. Samson once killed a thousand Philistines with a donkey jawbone and killed a lion with his bare hands. His long hair was his "good luck charm," as losing his hair would take his strength away. Samson lived during a period of conflict between Israel and the Philistines. Because of unfaithfulness, God was allowing the Philistines to oppress Israel for 40 years. An angel predicted the birth of Samson to his mother and father Manoah.
Samson's First Marriage to Philistine Woman: Judges 14
As Samson went with his parents to meet his wife, he encountered a lion and tore it apart with his bare hands. Samson later told a riddle to his 30 companions at his wedding feast and asked for the answer. The companions couldn't answer and convinced his wife to ask Samson the answer to the riddle. He finally told her and the companions told Samson. Samson's wife was given to one of the companions at the feast.
Samson's Vengeance on the Philistines: Judges 15
Samson revenged by burning some of the Philistine's grain, vineyard, and grove property. The Philistines revenged by burning Samson's wife and her father to death. Samson revenged by slaughtering many of the Philistines. After 3,000 men went to Judah to tie him up, Samson loosed the ropes with "the spirit of the Lord" and killed a thousand men with a donkey jawbone.
Samson, Delilah, and Vengeance on the Philistines, Death: Judges 16
Samson's new chosen lover Delilah, a Philistine woman, betrayed him after being offered a sum of silver from the Philistines to learn of Samson's weakness. After finally learning of his weakness, his hair braids were cut while he was sleeping and he was turned over to his Philistine enemies, who plucked out his eyes and forced him to slave labor. Samson's hair regrew and as he prayed to God, his strength recovered, allowing him to knock over support pillars in the Philistine's pagan temple, where they took him. When he knocked down the pillars by pushing two of them apart, Samson along with all of the Philistines in the building died as the building collapsed on them.
Some Christians Compare Samson to Jesus:
Both births were foretold by angels who predicted that they would save their people.
Miraculous births: Samson was born to a barren woman, Jesus to a virgin.
Samson defeated a lion, Jesus defeated Satan (1st Epistle of Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion).
Delilah betrayed Samson, Judas betrayed Jesus
Delilah and Judas were paid in pieces of silver for their deeds.
Just as Samson was enslaved, insulted, and blinded, Jesus was blindfolded, insulted, and treated as a slave.
Just as Samson was killed along with the pagan Philistines, Jesus was killed along with two criminals.
Both Jesus and Samson were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Just as Sampson married an unfaithful, Gentile wife, Jesus would be the groom of the Bride, the Church, which includes many Gentiles and unfaithful followers.
Both Samson and Jesus told parables or riddles.
Samson died while pushing the pillars apart in a cross-like stance, symbolic of the Cross of Jesus.
While Samson was far from perfect, he called on God and was delivered from his situation. The comparisons between Samson and Jesus are not meant to equate the two, but to point out the similarities between the two and show that most of the Old Testament and the Bible itself is focused on Jesus by giving many signs, parallels, foreshadowing, and prophetic words. Samson is also like the Church as a whole, in need of a Savior and able to be delivered through God's help. God chooses the most unlikely people.
"Israel Had No King" (Judges 17-21)
Micah's Idol and Priest: Judges 17
During this time there was weak leadership in Israel and the nation struggled with misbehavior, including theft, murder, idolatry, "Everyone did what was was right in his own eyes." The Danite tribe struggled to secure land in their allotted territory and moved northward, establishing the city of Dan, the most northerly city in Israel. The Danites struggled with idol worship (Judges 17-18).
Danites Settle in Laish, Rename it Dan: Judges 18
Danites invade and take city of Laish, rebuilt it, rename It Dan, and take Micah's Gods and Priest.
A Levite and His Concubine: Judges 19
Wicked Benjaminites in Gibeah abuse Levite's concubine, she dies, and Levite cuts his concubine in pieces.
30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds. Judges 19:30.
Israel Battles Benjamin, Almost Wiping It Out: Judges 20
Israelites unite to punish the Benjaminites of Gibeah. There was a battle between united tribes of Israel and Benjamin, (Battle of Gibeah), resulting from the rape of a Levite concubine (Judges 19), which resulted in the near wipeout of the tribe of Benjamin. The tribe would eventually recover.
Wives for the Benjaminite: Judges 21
Israelites find wives for the Benjaminites in order to preserve the tribe after nearly being wiped out.
by Owen Borville
August 7, 2020
Bible
Timeline: 1375 B.C. to 1075 B.C.
The Book of Judges in the Bible represents a time after the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites that re-established the Nation of Israel in their ancestral homeland and the death of their leader Joshua. After Joshua's death, a series of a dozen judges ruled Israel. The judges led Israel, leading them to military victory from their enemies. However, during the period of Judges in Israel's history, the Israelites failed to live up to the covenant that the Lord God set with the Israeli people under Moses and Joshua. This failure included the worship of pagan idols and gods of the surrounding nations and the failure to fully defeat the Canaanite peoples in the land. There were times of repentance where the Israelites came back to full obedience to the Lord, but this was followed by periods of disobedience to the Lord and the covenant made with the Lord. The Israelite peoples seem to become progressively less obedient to the Lord's covenant during the period of the Judges and before the Kingdom was established under Saul, David, and Solomon. The future Kingdom will have Jesus Christ on the Throne as the Highest Judge, as many future prophets would predict. Samuel is traditionally credited as the author of the Book of Judges.
Israelites Fight the Remaining Canaanites: Judges 1
Israelites Don't Fully Destroy Canaanites, Make Them Slaves
Angel of the Lord at Bokim, Disobedience and Idols, Defeat: Judges 2
An angel urges Israelites to obey the Lord. A new generation of Israelites didn't know the Lord. Then the Lord raised up judges to lead Israel, but when the Judge died, disobedience returned. This cycle repeated during the time of the dozen judges of Israel until a stronger leader was introduced.
Judges of Israel
After the Israelites fell into sin with idols, God sent a series of judges to save the Israelites.
16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. 17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so. 18 And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. Judges 2:16-19.
Remaining Nations Left to Test the Israelites Faith
1 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; 3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath. Judges 3:1-3.
The First Judges of Israel: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar: Judges 3
Othniel, the first of the Biblical judges, son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, defeated Cushan-Rishathaim, King of Aram, who had oppressed the Israelites for eight years after the Israelites fell into sin. After the Israelites cried out to the Lord, Othniel was appointed to deliver the Israelites and defeated Aram. The land had peace for 40 years.
Ehud: The Israelites sinned again and was defeated by Eglon, King of Moab, subject to him for 18 years. After the Israelites cried out to the Lord, Ehud was sent to deliver the Israelites. Ehud slew Eglon in his palace. Ehud and the Israelites defeated Moab. The land then had peace for eighty years.
Shamgar delivered the Israelites against the Philistines, killing 600 of them.
Deborah Judges Israel: Judges 4
Deborah, a prophetess, is the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Deborah is derived from the Hebrew name meaning bee. Deborah was the wife of Lapidoth. As judge, Deborah, told Barak, Israel's military commander, to attack the Canaanites and King Jabin of Canaan, who was oppressing Israel, and Canaan's military commander Sisera at Mount Tabor. The Israelites defeated Jabin and the Canaanites. Sisera escaped but was executed in the tent of Jael, a woman, when she hammered a tent peg into his temple.
Song of Deborah: Judges 5
Judges 5 accounts the Song of Deborah, a poetic chapter and victory hymn. Sisera is defeated completely and executed by Jael, a woman, in a tent. After the victory, there would be 40 years of peace in the land.
Gideon Led Israel: Judges 6
Gideon Defeated the Midianites: Judges 7
Gideon Defeated Zebah and Zalmunna: Judges 8
Gideon, (also called Jerubbaal) (Judges 6-8), a young man from the tribe of Manasseh, known for leading the defeat of the Midianites, who had been oppressing the Israelites for seven years. God called Gideon to lead Israel to victory and to condemn idol worship. Gideon struggled with faith because the Israelites were suffering so much. Gideon led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites despite being greatly outnumbered (only 300 men). The Angel of the Lord greeted Gideon and said, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor." Judges 6:11. Gideon requested a sign from God: The Angel of the Lord appeared and caused fire to come up from a rock (Judges 6:11-22). The sign of the dew on the fleece was also given along with the sign of the dew on the ground (Judges 6:37-40). Gideon destroyed the idol statues.
Abimelech Lead Israel: Judges 9
Abimelech, son of Gideon, became judge of Israel and wickedly murdered 70 of his brothers, with one, Jotham, escaping. God punished Abimelech later as a woman dropped a millstone on his head, cracking his skull and leaving him almost dead. He asked his servant to stab him to death so they couldn't say "A woman killed him."
Tola led Israel 23 years (Judges 10). Jair led Israel 22 years (Judges 10).
Jephthah Lead Israel: Judges 10
Jephthah led Israel six years.
Jephthah Defeated Amorites, Ammonites, Sacrificed Daughter: Judges 11
Jephthah sacrificed his daughter to the Lord upon an oath from returning from the Ammonites. He vowed to sacrifice to the Lord whatever comes through the door of his house if he returned home from an Ammonite victory, which he did and which happened to be his daughter and only child. He was bitterly upset but carried out the sacrifice after a two month grace period.
Jephthah's Leadership Continues: Judges 12
Later Jephthah also defeated the Ephraimites, 42,000 of them, who refused to help him against the Ammonites and were identified by their accent (Judges 12).
Ibzan led Israel seven years (Judges 12). Elon led Israel ten years (Judges 12). Abdon led Israel eight years (Judges 12).
The Birth of Samson: Judges 13
Samson (Judges 13-16)(1075 B.C.) was the last of the judges of Israel, serving 20 years. Samson, a Nazirite from the tribe of Dan, born to Manoah and his wife, was a very strong man, and his strength was even described as supernatural. Samson once killed a thousand Philistines with a donkey jawbone and killed a lion with his bare hands. His long hair was his "good luck charm," as losing his hair would take his strength away. Samson lived during a period of conflict between Israel and the Philistines. Because of unfaithfulness, God was allowing the Philistines to oppress Israel for 40 years. An angel predicted the birth of Samson to his mother and father Manoah.
Samson's First Marriage to Philistine Woman: Judges 14
As Samson went with his parents to meet his wife, he encountered a lion and tore it apart with his bare hands. Samson later told a riddle to his 30 companions at his wedding feast and asked for the answer. The companions couldn't answer and convinced his wife to ask Samson the answer to the riddle. He finally told her and the companions told Samson. Samson's wife was given to one of the companions at the feast.
Samson's Vengeance on the Philistines: Judges 15
Samson revenged by burning some of the Philistine's grain, vineyard, and grove property. The Philistines revenged by burning Samson's wife and her father to death. Samson revenged by slaughtering many of the Philistines. After 3,000 men went to Judah to tie him up, Samson loosed the ropes with "the spirit of the Lord" and killed a thousand men with a donkey jawbone.
Samson, Delilah, and Vengeance on the Philistines, Death: Judges 16
Samson's new chosen lover Delilah, a Philistine woman, betrayed him after being offered a sum of silver from the Philistines to learn of Samson's weakness. After finally learning of his weakness, his hair braids were cut while he was sleeping and he was turned over to his Philistine enemies, who plucked out his eyes and forced him to slave labor. Samson's hair regrew and as he prayed to God, his strength recovered, allowing him to knock over support pillars in the Philistine's pagan temple, where they took him. When he knocked down the pillars by pushing two of them apart, Samson along with all of the Philistines in the building died as the building collapsed on them.
Some Christians Compare Samson to Jesus:
Both births were foretold by angels who predicted that they would save their people.
Miraculous births: Samson was born to a barren woman, Jesus to a virgin.
Samson defeated a lion, Jesus defeated Satan (1st Epistle of Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion).
Delilah betrayed Samson, Judas betrayed Jesus
Delilah and Judas were paid in pieces of silver for their deeds.
Just as Samson was enslaved, insulted, and blinded, Jesus was blindfolded, insulted, and treated as a slave.
Just as Samson was killed along with the pagan Philistines, Jesus was killed along with two criminals.
Both Jesus and Samson were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Just as Sampson married an unfaithful, Gentile wife, Jesus would be the groom of the Bride, the Church, which includes many Gentiles and unfaithful followers.
Both Samson and Jesus told parables or riddles.
Samson died while pushing the pillars apart in a cross-like stance, symbolic of the Cross of Jesus.
While Samson was far from perfect, he called on God and was delivered from his situation. The comparisons between Samson and Jesus are not meant to equate the two, but to point out the similarities between the two and show that most of the Old Testament and the Bible itself is focused on Jesus by giving many signs, parallels, foreshadowing, and prophetic words. Samson is also like the Church as a whole, in need of a Savior and able to be delivered through God's help. God chooses the most unlikely people.
"Israel Had No King" (Judges 17-21)
Micah's Idol and Priest: Judges 17
During this time there was weak leadership in Israel and the nation struggled with misbehavior, including theft, murder, idolatry, "Everyone did what was was right in his own eyes." The Danite tribe struggled to secure land in their allotted territory and moved northward, establishing the city of Dan, the most northerly city in Israel. The Danites struggled with idol worship (Judges 17-18).
Danites Settle in Laish, Rename it Dan: Judges 18
Danites invade and take city of Laish, rebuilt it, rename It Dan, and take Micah's Gods and Priest.
A Levite and His Concubine: Judges 19
Wicked Benjaminites in Gibeah abuse Levite's concubine, she dies, and Levite cuts his concubine in pieces.
30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds. Judges 19:30.
Israel Battles Benjamin, Almost Wiping It Out: Judges 20
Israelites unite to punish the Benjaminites of Gibeah. There was a battle between united tribes of Israel and Benjamin, (Battle of Gibeah), resulting from the rape of a Levite concubine (Judges 19), which resulted in the near wipeout of the tribe of Benjamin. The tribe would eventually recover.
Wives for the Benjaminite: Judges 21
Israelites find wives for the Benjaminites in order to preserve the tribe after nearly being wiped out.
