JUDGES

JUDGES 1

THE ISRAELITES FAIL TO REMOVE THE CANAANITES FROM THE PROMISED LAND

As the Israelites enter into the Promised Land of Canaan, God instructs them to drive out the Canaanite people groups that remain in the land. The tribes settle in their allotted land, but fail to remove the Canaanites.

God wants the Israelites to avoid the moral corruption and evil practices of the Canaanites, such as idol worship and child sacrifice. Instead of following God’s instruction, the Israelites allow the Canaanites to stay in the land and utilize them as forced labor.

Throughout the book of Judges, the Canaanites influence the Israelites and lead them into further rebellion and disobedience.

JUDGES 2

THE ISRAELITES REBEL AGAINST GOD + GOD APPOINTS JUDGES

Because the Israelites fail to drive out the Canaanites, they become influenced by their corruption.

After Joshua’s death, the following generation did not know of God’s miraculous provision for the Israelites. The Israelites begin to worship Baal, a Canaanite god, abandoning their faith in the God of Israel. God is angered by the disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites.

God appoints judges to lead the Israelites and deliver them from their enemies, but the faithfulness of the Israelites is fleeting. Even after God provided a righteous leader for them, they fell back into their old rebellious ways.

Judges 2:16 - Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

JUDGES 3

JUDGES OF ISRAEL: OTHNIEL, EHUD, + SHAMGAR

The Israelites continue to worship other gods, abandoning their faith. God allows them to be conquered and enslaved for eight years. When the Israelites finally cry out to God, God sends Othniel, a judge, to deliver them. God’s spirit was upon Othniel, so they prevailed against their oppressors and had peace for forty years.

Once again, Israel begins worshiping false gods and adopting corrupt principles. God allows them to be conquered and enslaved by the Moabites for eighteen years. Similar to their previous captivity, the Israelites eventually cry out to God for deliverance. God sends Ehud, an unlikely, left-handed leader, to deliver them. Ehud uses a strategic and unusual strategy to kill the king and escape, freeing his people and giving them eighty years of peace.

Shamgar follows Ehud as the next judge. Very little is recorded about Shamgar, other than his ability to kill six-hundred Philistines and bring victory to Israel.

JUDGES 4

DEBORAH + THE ISRAELITES DEFEAT THE CANAANITES

After the death of Ehud, Israel continues their cycle of rebellion and corruption. God allows the Israelites to be oppressed for twenty years under Jabin, King of the Canaanites.

Jabin and his military commander, Sisera, have an incredible army with nine-hundred chariots, putting the Israelites at a great disadvantage. The Israelites realize the worthlessness of the false gods they have been worshiping. Trusting that God is their only hope, they cry out to Him once again for salvation.

Deborah is the judge at this time, and she appoints Barak as the leader of the Israelite army. Barak agrees, but requests that Deborah accompany him in battle. Deborah agrees and prophecies that a woman will be awarded the praise for winning the battle.

Barak gathers ten thousand men willing to fight and the Israelites defeat the Canaanites. Despite their victory, the Canaanite military commander Sisera is able to get away. Attempting to hide, he enters the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite. While he is asleep, Jael pierces a tentpole through his temple—she was the woman Deborah said would have the glory in the battle!

JUDGES 5

THE SONG OF DEBORAH + BARAK

After Deborah and Barak are victorious over the Canaanites, they rejoice and praise God for His provision over the Israelites. Deborah believes that God will cause every enemy of Israel to perish. After the defeat of the Canaanites, there is peace in Israel for forty years.

JUDGES 6

GOD SENDS THE PROPHET GIDEON

After forty years of peace in Israel, the Midianites begin to overpower the Israelites, depleting their food supply and enslaving them for labor. After seven years of oppression, the Israelites cry out to God for provision. Instead of sending another judge, God sends a prophet named Gideon.

An angel appears before Gideon, telling him that God is with him and that he will lead the Israelites out of the Midianite oppression. Gideon questions his own authority, telling the angel that he is from Manasseh, the smallest of the tribes. God comforts Gideon, letting him know that He will be with him.

Gideon, still skeptical, asks the angel for a sign. Gideon prepares food, which the angel turns into fire, providing Gideon with a sign from God. Gideon builds an altar and finds peace in God’s presence.

In the middle of the night, Gideon destroys the altar of Baal, built by his father. Gideon replaces it with a new altar and makes sacrifices to God alone. The Midianites are angry with Gideon and want to kill him, but God protects him.

Gideon asks God to provide two more signs, proving to Gideon that he could trust God’s plans. God responds to Gideon’s request, reassuring him of his purpose.

JUDGES 7

GIDEON RECRUITS A GREAT ARMY + BATTLES WITH ONLY 300 MEN

Preparing to lead the Israelites in victory over the Midianites, Gideon gathers an army of twenty-two thousand men. God tells Gideon that he has recruited too many men. God wants to be glorified for the Israelites’ victory and does not want them to believe their victory came from their own strength.

Gideon releases twelve thousand men, decreasing his army to ten thousand men. Still having too many men, God brings the Israelites to the edge of the water to enact an odd distribution system based on the way they drink water. Based on God’s requirement, only three-hundred men were to be in the Israelite army.

Following God’s instructions, Gideon spies on the Midianites. He overheard a dream interpreter proclaim that Israel would prevail over the Midianites. God’s perfect timing allowed Gideon to overhear a conversation that gave him more confidence in God’s plan for Israel.

When the time comes for battle, Gideon uses a strange strategy including trumpets, torches, and jars. Upon Gideon’s command, the Israelites blow the trumpets, light the torches, and break the jars. God keeps His promise to Gideon and leads them in victory over the Midianites.

JUDGES 8

THE AFTERMATH OF GIDEON’S VICTORY

The tribe of Ephraim, known for its warriors, is upset that Gideon did not involve them in the battle against the Midianites. This leads to tensions between Gideon and the Ephraimites.

Gideon’s army pursues Zebah and Zalmunna, two of the kings of the Midianites. During their search, they become desperate for food, but are turned down by the cities of Succoth and Penuel. Despite their hunger and exhaustion, they are successful in their defeat of Zebah and Zalmunna.

The Israelites want to appoint Gideon as the king of Israel, but Gideon denies this position, claiming that God is the king of His people. However, Gideon's actions appear to contradict his initial humility, as he requests extravagant gold and jewelry to create an ephod, typically worn by high priests. He also names his son Abimelech, which means "son of the king." Despite Gideon’s initial response to the role of king, Gideon desires the praise and authority of a king.

After Gideon’s death, the Israelites become disobedient and rebellious against God.

JUDGES 9

THE RISE + FALL OF ABIMELECH

Gideon’s son, Abimelech, shares similar ambitions with his father and desires to become king over Israel. In order to become king, Abimelech kills his brothers, giving him the throne. Abimelech is unable to kill his youngest brother, Jotham, who hid from him.

Jotham travels to Mount Gerizim, a place known for announcing blessings and curses. Jotham shares a parable which tells of Abimelech’s destructive leadership. After warning the Israelites, Jotham flees, hoping to protect himself.

Eventually, Jotham’s parable of prophecy is fulfilled, and God creates great division between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, a nearby city. The Israelites start to look for a replacement for Abimelech and consider a man named Gaal, but he flees in fear from Abimelech.

The people of Shechem try to ambush Abimelech, but he kills them and destroys the city. Abimelech kills the very people who elevated him to his position. Abimelech has to leave the city since he destroyed everything, so he goes to Thebez. But there he is killed by a woman who crushes him with a large stone.

JUDGES 10

AFTER WORSHIPING FALSE IDOLS, THE ISRAELITES TURN TO GOD

After Abimelech, a man named Tola was the judge of Israel for twenty-three years. Following Tola was a man named Jair who was the judge for twenty-two years.

Once again, Israel is participating in wicked, unrighteous practices, so God allows them to be oppressed by the Ammonites and the Philistines. The Israelites, influenced by their surroundings, worship many other false gods, including Baal, Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines, and the gods of Moab.

After eighteen years, the Israelites cry out to God for help. Instead of sending a judge or a military ruler as He had previously, God reminds the Israelites of His past deliverance of the Israelites. God questions them, reminding them that their false gods have never provided for them. After exhausting all other options, the Israelites deny the false gods and turn back to the God who provided for them.

God grew impatient with their misery. Even in their rebellion, God hates seeing his people experiencing suffering. The Israelites consult with each other and decide they need to choose a leader to battle the Ammonites.

Judges 10:14 - Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.

JUDGES 11

JEPHTHAH DEFEATS THE AMMONITES + MAKES A TRAGIC VOW

The Israelites appoint a man named Jephthah to lead them in battle against the Ammonites. Confronting the Ammonites, Jephthah argues with their leadership over land and discusses the tumultuous relationship between the Ammonites and the Israelites. Jephthah attempts to make peace, but does not make significant progress.

Jephthah leads the Israelites and God allows them to defeat the Ammonites. Unfortunately, Jephthah made a hasty vow to God that he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his home if they won the battle. This was unnecessary because God had already promised them the land if they were to keep His commands. But Jephthah was unfamiliar with God and treated Him like one of the false gods they had been serving.

When Jephthah returns home, it isn’t a cow or a sheep that he first sees, it is his only daughter greeting him upon his return. Not only could he have made a sin offering to atone for his mistake of breaking the vow, but child sacrifice is also prohibited throughout scripture. His unfamiliarity with God made him act faithlessly and sinfully, despite his efforts to be steadfast.

JUDGES 12

JEPTHAH BATTLES THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM

The people of Ephraim are angry that they are not called upon for battle, similar to Judges 8 when Gideon did not include them in the battle against the Mideonites. The people of Ephraim threaten to burn down Jephthah’s house and begin to fight amongst themselves. This is the first battle within the Israelites, similar to a civil war. Because of this, 42,000 people from Ephraim died. This battle is not a promising indicator of Israel’s future faithfulness. Instead of living in unity, God’s chosen people are battling and killing one another.

Jephthah died after six years of leading as judge of the Israelites. After Jephthah, a man named Ibzan led for seven years. After Izban, a man named Elon led for ten years, and was succeeded by a man named Abdon who led for eight years.

JUDGES 13

AN ANGEL TELLS OF THE BIRTH OF SAMSON

The Israelites continue to live in rebellion against God, living faithless, sinful lives. Because of their wickedness, they are oppressed by the Philistines for forty years.

There is a man named Manoah, who is from the tribe of Dan. God sends an angel to appear before Manoah’s wife, who is barren, to tell her that she will have a child. This child would begin to save the Israelites from the Philistines. The angel tells Manoah’s wife that her son would live under the Nazarite vow, an oath to refrain from drinking alcohol or cutting one's hair (Numbers 6).

The angel appears again to Manoah and instructs him to provide a burnt offering for the Lord. When God devours the offering with fire, Manoah and his wife believed they had seen God. Manoah's wife gives birth to a son and names him Samson.

Judges 13:1 - And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

JUDGES 14

SAMSON’S RIDDLE + DISASTROUS WEDDING

Samson decides to marry a Philistine woman, despite the Philistines’ oppression of the Israelites.

Before their wedding feast, Samson kills a lion with his bare hands. When he returns a few days later, he uses his hands to scoop honey out of the carcass of the lion. Samson never told his father, mother, or bride about the lion.

During the wedding feast, Samson shares a riddle with thirty companions and promises them that if they solve the riddle, he will give them all new linen clothing. In the riddle was information about the lion and the honey, which he had kept secret from everyone.

Upset that she did not know what was going on, Samson’s bride repeatedly questions Samson until he tells her. After learning the answer to the riddle, she runs to tell Samson’s companions. After they have the correct answer to the riddle, Samson leaves to collect their prize of linen clothing. While he is gone, Samson’s bride is given to Samson’s best man! This is the strangest, most dramatic wedding ever. These strange events foreshadow some aspects of Samson's character, particularly his strength, unpredictable behavior, and the ongoing conflict with the Philistines.

JUDGES 15

SAMSON RETALIATES + RESPONDS WITH ANGER

When Samson discovers he no longer has a bride, he is angry and confused. The bride’s father offers up his other daughter as a consolation, but Samson is not interested. In retaliation, Samson collects three hundred foxes, ties their tails together, lights them on fire, and sends them running throughout the father’s crops, burning them all down.

In response to Samson’s act of malice, the Philistines want him captured. During his battle with the Philistines, God’s spirit comes upon Samson and he uses this strength to kill one thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey. Samson continues to serve as the judge over Israel for the following twenty years.

JUDGES 16

SAMSON BETRAYED + CAPTURED BY THE PHILISTINES

Samson meets a woman in the Valley of Sorek, named Delilah, whom he loves. Knowing that Delilah is loved by Samson, the Philistine leaders bribe Delilah to seduce Samson and find the source of his great strength.

After telling Delilah three lies regarding the source of his strength, Samson finally reveals that his long hair is the source of his strength. Because he is under the Nazarite vow, he has never before shaved his hair (Numbers 6, Judges 13).

Betraying Samson, Delilah uses this information against him, has his head shaved, and allows him to be captured by the Philistines. Upon their capture of Samson, the Philistines gouge out Samson’s eyes and imprison him.

Eventually, Samson cries out to God, asking Him for help and salvation. God responds to Samson’s prayer and Samson’s strength is returned to him. By pushing against a large pillar with all his might, Samson is able to cause a building to crash down. Samson dies in the rubble, along with many of the Philistines. With his death, he killed more people than when he was alive.

JUDGES 17

MICAH + THE LEVITE PRIEST

Micah, a man from Ephraim, built his own shrine and appoints his own son as a priest. God appointed the Levites or descendants of Levi to be the priests of Israel, but Micah’s son was not from the priestly tribe. Because there was no king over Israel, the people were not following God and were doing what they saw as right in their own eyes. Micah creates false gods and idols and creates his own ephod, the regal garments only worn by priests.

Micah later meets a Levite man, whom he asks to live with him and appoints as a priest. Micah believes that God will allow him to prosper because he now has a Levite serving as priest instead of his son. Micah only knows the laws of God, but does not pursue knowing God personally. Micah exemplifies the idea of wanting blessings from God without having a relationship with God and highlights the moral downfall of the Israelites.

JUDGES 18

THE TRIBE OF DAN PLUNDERS + DESTROYS IN PURSUIT OF LAND

Because the tribe of Dan is not given a land inheritance in Israel, they search for new land. Five men from the tribe are sent out as spies to seek new land. The spies come across Micah and the Levite who serve as a priest and plunder their tent, taking all that they had. They also destroy a quiet, unsuspecting town called Laish.

JUDGES 19

THE CONCUBINE OF THE LEVITE MAN TORTURED

While a Levite man is traveling with his concubine, five leaders from the tribe of Benjamin torture and rape the woman. She is murdered and her body is severed into twelve pieces, each sent out among the twelve tribes of Israel.

Judges 17, 18, and 19 show the rebellious and destructive nature of the Israelites, displaying how they have forgotten or disregarded the commands of God. Although Judges were appointed, the state of Israel was disobedient and wicked.

JUDGES 20

THE ISRAELITES BATTLE THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN

After the cruel and brutal act of the Benjaminites, the men of Israel battled against the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, fought against one another due to their own sin and rebellion.

JUDGES 21

THE PEOPLE OF JABESH-GILEAD KILLED

One group of Israelites, the people of Jabesh-gilead, do not join in the battle against the tribe of Benjamin. All of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead are killed, except for the virgin women who were given to be wives of the remaining Benjamite men. Because Israel had strayed from God and did not have strong leadership, they all did what was right in their own eyes.

Judges 21:25 - In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.