Author : Keith Sharp
The author of Judges is not named. However, the book was written before David took Jerusalem (1:21; cf. 2 Samuel 5:6-9) but after Israel had a king (17:6; 18:1; 21:25). This would fit the time of Samuel. Jewish tradition assigns the book to Samuel, and Samuel was a prophet of God (1 Samuel 3:19-21), so Samuel probably wrote Judges.
The word “judges” means “saviors.” Essentially the judges were deliverers of the people of Israel from foreign oppressors. At least some of them also acted as rulers and judges of disputes.
Judges relates the history of Israel from the death of Joshua to the rise of Samuel as the prophet of the Lord. In violation of God’s command, Israel failed to destroy all the idolatrous inhabitants of the land, but made covenants with them (1:27-36). God decreed that He therefore would not drive out these people but would leave them to be “thorns” in the side of Israel (2:1-5). These nations would prove Israel, whether they would remain faithful to God or not (2:20 – 3:4). Joshua,s generation, which knew the Lord, died (2:6-10). Later generations intermarried with the idolatrous Gentiles in the land and served their gods (3:5-6). For a period of around 350 years (cf. 11:26; 1 Kings 6:1) Israel went through a repeated cycle: (1) SIN – they sinned against God; (2) SERVITUDE – God allowed oppressors to overcome them; (3) SORROW – they repented of their rebellion; (4)SALVATION – God sent a judge to deliver them (2:11-19). The book of Judges records twelve (thirteen if Abimelech is counted) such judges. Eli and Samuel, recorded in 1 Samuel, complete the list of judges (14 or 15).
The primary characteristic of the period was, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (17:6; 21:25) Every man followed his own conscience. There was no rule of law. The result was a time of anarchy: outward oppression and inward decay. This shows the results for both individuals and nations when people simply do what they feel is right without regard for divine law.
Two institutions solved this problem: PROPHECY, beginning with Samuel, provided individual guidance; while the RULE of a RIGHTEOUS KING, beginning with David, provided national guidance.
1. Israel’s Failure to Drive Out All the Inhabitants – 1:1 – 2:5
2. Summary of Israel Under the Judges – 2:6 – 3:6
B. The Judges of Israel – 3:7 – 16:31
1. Othniel (1st Judge) 3:7-11
2. Ehud (Left-Handed Judge) 3:12-20
3. Shamgar (Ox-Goad Judge) 3:21-30
4. Deborah (Woman Judge) 4:1 – 5:31
5. Gideon (Mighty Man of Valor) 6:1 – 8:32
6. Abimelech (Bramble King) 8:33 – 9:57
7. Tolah (Son of Puah, Son of Dodo) 10:1-2
8. Jair (30 sons, 30 colts, 30 cities) 10:3-5
9. Jephthah (Rash Vow Judge) 10:6 – 12:7
10. Ibzan (30 sons, 30 daughters) 12:8-10
11. Elon (Zebulunite Judge) 12:11-12
12. Abdon (40 sons, 30 grandsons, 70 donkeys) 12:13-15
13. Samson (Strongest Man Judge) 13:1 – 16:31
C. Events Demonstrating the Sinfulness of Israel – chapters 17 – 21
1. The Sins of Micah the Ephraimite – chapter 17
2. The Sins of the Tribe of Dan – chapter 18
3. The Crime in Benjamin at Gibeah and its Punishment – chapters 19 – 21
