Chapter Titles
Chapter 01 Israel Fights the Remaining Canaanites
Chapter 02 Israel is Unfaithful
Chapter 03 Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar
Chapter 04 Deborah and Barak
Chapter 05 The Song of Deborah
Chapter 06 Gideon Receives a Sign
Chapter 07 Gideon's Victory
Chapter 08 Gideon's Triumph, Ephod and Death
Chapter 09 Abimelech Killed by a Woman
Chapter 10 Tola, Jair and Jephthah
Chapter 11 Jephthah's Daughter Sacrificed
Chapter 12 Jephthah's Trouble and Ibzan, Elon and Abdon
Chapter 13 The Birth of Samson
Chapter 14 Samson's Problematic Marriage
Chapter 15 Samson Settles the Score
Chapter 16 Samson's Betrayal and Death
Chapter 17 Micah and the Levite
Chapter 18 Danites Settle in Laish
Chapter 19 Fiendish Felony in Gibeah
Chapter 20 Israelites Fight the Benjamites
Chapter 21 Benjamites Saved from Extinction
Structure
The Big Picture
1.
Reasons For the Era of the Judges (1:1-3:6)
2.Circumstances During the Era of the Judges (3:7-16:31)
3.Consequences of the Era of the Judges (17:1-21:25)
Sections Subdivided
Part 1 Reasons For the Era of the Judges (1:1-3:6)
A.Incomplete Obedience (1:1-36)
B.The Angel of the Lord at Bokim (2:1-5)
C.Idolatry and Intermarriage (2:6-3:6)
Part 2 Circumstances During the Era of the Judges (3:7-16:31)
A.Othniel (3:7-11)
B.Ehud (3:12-31)
1.Ehud Kills Eglon (3:12-30)
2.Shamgar (3:31)
C.Deborah (4:1-5:31)
1.Deborah and Barak's Victory (4:1-24)
2.The Song of Deborah (5:1-31)
D.Gideon (6:1-8:32)
1.Gideon's Call and Sign from God (6:1-40)
2.Gideon defeats the Midianites (7:1-8:21)
3.Gideon's Ephod and Death (8:22-35)
E.Abimelech
1.Abimelech's Short Reign (9:1-57)
2.Tola and Jair (10:1-5)
F.Jephthah (10:6-12:15)
1.Jephthah Kills His Daughter (10:6-11:40)
2.Jephthat Defeats Ephraim (12:1-7)
3.Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (12:8-15)
G.Samson (13:1-16:31)
1.The Birth of Samson (13:1-25)
2.Samson's Troubled Marriage (14:1-20)
3.Samson's Vengeance (15:1-20)
4.Samson and Delilah (16:1-31)
Part 3 Consequences of the Era of the Judges (17:1-21:25)
A.Idolatry (17:1-18:31)
1.Micah's Idols (17:1-13)
2.Danites Steal Micah's Idolatry (18:1-31)
B.Immorality (19:1-30)
C.War (20:1-21:25)
1.Israelites Battle with the Benjamites (20:1-48)
2.The Benjamites Need Wives (21:1-25)
Observation
Characters
The main characters in the book of Judges are the individuals who hold the office of a "judge". A "judge" is not just responsible for upholding justice, settling disputes and maintaining civil order. But they are primarily responsible for liberating Israel from bondage through military assaults against their oppressors.
The main "judges" are Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. Though Othniel's story is rather short he is designated as the first "judge" in the book and has an overpowering victory over Aram (3:10). Ehud had an equally captivating account he was a left-handed Benjamite that killed Eglon king of Moab with a knife to the stomach and led Israel into freedom from their oppressors (3:12-30). Deborah is the first and only female "judge" and she along with the help of Barak defeat the Canaanites and liberate Israel from their subjugation (4:24). Gideon was from the tribe of Manasseh and after obtaining several amazing signs from God (e.g. fleece, 6:36-40), he defeated the Midianites and killed Zebah and Zalmunna their kings (8:21). Jephthah was from the tribe of Gilead and he lead the people of Israel to victory over the Amorites (11:32), but his vow to God obligated him to kill his only child and daughter (11:39).
Samson is the son of Manoah, from the clan of the Danites (13:2), and is arguably the most interesting of the "judges". He appears to be somewhat immoral nonetheless God still gives him great strength to fight against the Philistines (14:19). The climax of Samson's story is the betrayal by Delilah a Philistine woman that he loved (16:18), but despite this treachery God uses Samson at his lowest point to kill more Philistines at his death than he did in his whole entire life (16:31).
There are also a number of minor "judges" that accomplish great feats but very little is said about them. The minor "judges" are Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon and Abdon. The minor "judges" have some key similarities for they all are mentioned in relation to a former "judge", they are depicted as leaders of Israel, and their period in office or death is mentioned. Other attributes found in the accounts of the minor "judges" are victory over the enemy, and their clan or city of origin.
There were also a number of other characters that were not "judges" but had important roles in the book of Judges. Joshua is a significant figure early on in the story and his death and the passing away of his generation mark the end of an obedient Israel and usher in a new generation that did not know the Lord (2:9-10). Barak a colleague of Deborah is another key character in the account of Judges, he was the leader of an army made up of soldiers from Naphtali and Zebulun and though he was reluctant at first God allowed him with the help of Jael and Deborah to get the victory over the Canaanites (4:22-24). Micah is a very interesting personality and he plays a prominent role in the account of the Judges. He sets up a temple in his house with his own priest that is later stolen from him by a band of Danites (17:12, 27).
The story of the Judges is also filled with female characters that make noteworthy contributions. Acsah the daughter of Caleb and the wife of Othiel asks for land from her father (1:15), which is a good illustration of the power she had. Jael the wife of Heber kills Sisera the commander of the Canaanite army by driving a tent peg through his head (4:21). Another story that a woman played a major role in was the story of Abimelech when Abimelech was killed by a woman that dropped a stone on his head (10:53). Jephthah's daughter bravely submits to her father's vow to God and allows him to kill her (11:39). Delilah very slyly betrays Samson and helps the Philistines to finally defeat him (16:21). The most horrific story of the Judges is centered on a woman the Levites concubine is brutally attacked by the Benjamites and is the cause of an Israelite, Benjamite war (19:29-30).
Geography
The entire story of Judges takes place in the promised land of Canaan but each narrative takes place in a different geographical area within the nation. Some stories are situated in the Northern region of Canaan in places like Dan, Zebulun and Manasseh. Others take place in the Central area of the nation like Judah, and Ephraim. Stories also take place in Southern Canaan in regions like Simeon and the Negev. There are also accounts that take place in the Western areas near the coast where the Philistines occupied and the Eastern districts were the Gileadites inhabited.
Judges is Situated in Canaan...
Southern Canaan(1:1-21)
Central Canaan(1:22-26)
Northern Canaan(1:27-36)
Central Canaan(2:1-9)
Throughout Canaan(2:10-3:6)
Southern Canaan(3:7-31)
Northern Canaan(4:1-5:31)
Central Canaan(6:1-10:5)
Eastern Canaan(10:6-12:7)
Northern Canaan(12:8-15)
Western Canaan(13:1-16:31)
Central Canaan(17:1-18:26)
Western Canaan(18:27-31)
Central Canaan(19:1-21:25)
There seems to be no apparent pattern in the geographical sequences that the stories take place in. The geographical locations of each narrative are spread out throughout Canaan and are intended to illustrate the wide spread problems that the entire nation was facing. Sin, punishment, repentance, deliverance and rest are taking place throughout all of Israel and in no place does there seem to be stability. Possibly this illustration of disorder is an apologetic for a monarchy (perhaps David's). On a couple of occasions the author of Judges makes it clear that "in those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit" (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).
Theme
The era of the Judges roughly covers the time period between the conquest of Canaan and the monarchy. The overall theme of Judges is that despite Israel's unfaithfulness to the covenant, God remains faithful to his covenant people and does so by developing "judges" to deliver Israel from oppression by their enemies. Israel is constantly in a state of apostasy throughout Judges and continually sins against God. The national disunity of Israel and their disobedience to God intensify as the book progresses. Righteousness was only the standard when a "judge" ruled over a particular area but as soon as he/she died people reverted back to a state of malevolence.
Within Canaan the people of Israel continually fell into a cycle of oppression that came about because of their disobedience to God. The people would do evil in the sight of the Lord and he would use other nations to oppress them (generally nations outside of Canaan). When Israel was in a state of oppression and cried out to God he would hear their cry and allow a "judge" to deliver them from the oppression. After this deliverance the people would have peace under the "judge". Despite Israel falling away from God the Lord was always faithful to them when they requested for deliverance. Even though it appears that at the end of the book of Judges God was not as responsive to their requests, because Israel had to ask for his assistance from God three times against their brothers the Benjamites before they got the victory (20:28).
A key passage of the book of Judges deals with the narrative of the Angel of the Lord at Bokim. In this particular text God reiterates the covenant between He and Israel and goes on to say that they have not kept their side of the bargain (2:2). This action apparently makes God angry and as a result he promises to make the gods and the people that Israel refused to drive out trouble for them (2:3). Though this may seem to be a very unkind statement it is actually one of grace because when brutality comes to Israel they turn to God for deliverance. God will always be faithful to the covenant despite the sins of Israel as long as they are humble enough to repent and turn from their evil.
Overall Canaan during the time period of the Judges is filled with brutality and violence. The Israelites are being killed and enslaved all over Canaan and they are crying out to God for release. When they are set free they in turn violently free themselves with the assistance and leadership of a "judge" by the power of God. In the midst of aggression and murder God's hand is at work in keeping his covenant. Even if he has to kill people in the surrounding nations he will do so to keep his covenant with his people.
The main theme of the book of Judges is one that holds true from beginning to end. God is faithful to his covenant with Israel despite the disloyalty of his people. The account is filled with stories of "judges" raised up by God to set his people free. God takes his covenant seriously and will use every means necessary to make his people stay in a faithful relationship with him.
Theological Insights
Sin and Disobedience
Sin and disobedience to God are a prominent theological emphasis in Judges and are continually highlighted. The Angel of the Lord at Bokim makes it very clear that the people of Israel had disobeyed God and had broken their side of the covenant (2:2). The narrative frequently records the statement that "The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord" (3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1). In fact even the "judges" committed questionable acts. For example Samson broke almost every law imaginable he married a non-Israelite woman (14:16), killed many people (e.g. 15:8; 16:30), he told lies (16:13), and had sex with a prostitute (16:1). Samson was not the only "judge" to do questionable acts for instance Gideon made an ephod that people eventually worshipped (8:27) and Jephthah killed his daughter to fulfill a vow to God (11:39).
The last few chapters of Judges really illustrate the sinfulness of Israel during this era. Micah buys himself a priest and sets up a religious center in his house with idols (17:12; 18:18). Furthermore the Danites steal Micah's religion and claim it as well as his priest and idols as there own and develop their own religion just a few miles away from Shiloh (God's Tabernacle) (18:31). The most horrendous demonstration of Israel's wickedness was when a group of Benjamites viciously raped and murdered the Levite's concubine whom they initially intended to have homosexual relations with (20:4). This resulted in a war between Benjamin and Israel and the nation was caught up in a civil war, which killed a multitude of God's covenant people (20:20).
Throughout the Bible there are warnings to God's people not to be disobedience and to refrain from sin. In Genesis God commands Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (2:17). This is a test of Adam and Eve's obedience to God and they failed it and disobeyed God. Adam and Eve ate the fruit (Genesis 3:6) just as the people of Israel were disobedient to God in Judges. A New Testament example of disobedience and sin are Ananias and Sapphira who both lie to the Holy Spirit and are struck down and killed (Acts 5:9).
Charismatic Leadership
The book of Judges is filled with charismatic leaders who held the office of a "judge" and were raised up by God to deliver his people. He rises up leaders like Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. These "judges" led violent attacks against Israel's oppressors and liberated them. Though we do not have examples of "judges" in other areas of the Bible we do have examples of charismatic leadership. In Exodus there is an amazing charismatic leader by the name of Moses who led the people out of bondage from the Egyptians (14:30). Jesus Christ was born to save his people from their sins and had a charismatic ministry that to this day is changing and affecting people's lives (Matthew 1:21).
