Title and Author: The book of Judges derives its name from the leaders known as "judges" who were raised up by God to deliver Israel from oppression. Traditionally, the authorship of Judges is attributed to the prophet Samuel, although the text itself does not specify an author. Conservative scholars often support this view, suggesting that Samuel compiled the oral and written traditions into the book we have today.

Historical Context: Judges is set in the period between the death of Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, roughly 1400-1050 BC. This era is characterized by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The Israelites repeatedly fall into idolatry, leading to their subjugation by surrounding nations, until they cry out to God for help.

Audience: The primary audience of Judges was the Israelites, particularly those living during the early monarchy. The book served as a historical account and a moral lesson, warning against the dangers of disobedience to God.

Purpose: The purpose of Judges is to demonstrate the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and the need for a godly leader. It highlights the cyclical nature of sin and redemption, emphasizing the importance of covenant faithfulness.

Genre and Style: Judges is a historical narrative with elements of epic and tragedy. It combines storytelling with theological reflection.1. The Angel of the LORD (Judges 2:1) - A divine messenger who rebukes the Israelites for their disobedience and failure to drive out the inhabitants of the land.

2. Joshua (Judges 2:6) - The leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. His death is recounted in Judges.

3. The Israelites (Judges 2:10) - The collective people of Israel who repeatedly fall into cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance throughout the book.

4. Othniel (Judges 3:9) - The first judge of Israel, who delivers the Israelites from the oppression of the king of Mesopotamia.

5. Ehud (Judges 3:15) - A left-handed judge who delivers Israel by assassinating Eglon, the king of Moab.

6. Eglon (Judges 3:12) - The king of Moab who oppresses Israel until he is killed by Ehud.

7. Shamgar (Judges 3:31) - A judge who delivers Israel by striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.

8. Deborah (Judges 4:4) - A prophetess and judge who leads Israel alongside Barak against the Canaanite king Jabin.

9. Barak (Judges 4:6) - A military leader who, under Deborah's guidance, leads the Israelites to victory against Sisera.

10. Sisera (Judges 4:2) - The commander of Jabin's army, who is defeated by Barak and killed by Jael.

11. Jael (Judges 4:17) - The wife of Heber the Kenite, who kills Sisera by driving a tent peg through his head.

12. Gideon (Judges 6:11) - A judge who delivers Israel from the Midianites after being called by God.

13. Joash (Judges 6:11) - Gideon's father, who initially worships Baal but later supports Gideon's actions against the idol.

14. Zebah and Zalmunna (Judges 8:5) - Kings of Midian defeated by Gideon.

15. Abimelech (Judges 8:31) - Gideon's son who declares himself king and kills his brothers, but is eventually killed by a woman.

16. Jotham (Judges 9:5) - The youngest son of Gideon who escapes Abimelech's massacre and later curses him.

17. Tola (Judges 10:1) - A judge who leads Israel after Abimelech's death.

18. Jair (Judges 10:3) - A judge who leads Israel for twenty-two years.

19. Jephthah (Judges 11:1) - A judge who delivers Israel from the Ammonites but makes a tragic vow involving his daughter.

20. Ibzan (Judges 12:8) - A judge who leads Israel after Jephthah.

21. Elon (Judges 12:11) - A judge who leads Israel for ten years.

22. Abdon (Judges 12:13) - A judge who leads Israel after Elon.

23. Manoah (Judges 13:2) - The father of Samson, who receives a divine message about his son's birth.

24. Samson (Judges 13:24) - A judge known for his incredible strength, who delivers Israel from the Philistines but is ultimately betrayed by Delilah.

25. Delilah (Judges 16:4) - A woman who betrays Samson by discovering the secret of his strength and handing him over to the Philistines.1. Canaan (Judges 1:1)
- The land promised to the Israelites, where the events of Judges take place. It is a region inhabited by various tribes that the Israelites are commanded to conquer.

2. Jerusalem (Judges 1:8)
- A significant city in the land of Canaan, initially captured by the tribe of Judah but later inhabited by the Jebusites.

3. Hebron (Judges 1:10)
- A city in the hill country of Judah, known for its association with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. Debir (Judges 1:11)
- A city in the territory of Judah, also known as Kiriath-sepher, captured by Othniel.

5. Bethel (Judges 1:22)
- A city in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim, known for its religious significance in Israelite history.

6. Gaza (Judges 1:18)
- A Philistine city on the southwestern coast of Canaan, known for its strategic and economic importance.

7. Askelon (Judges 1:18)
- Another Philistine city, located along the coast, captured by the tribe of Judah.

8. Ekron (Judges 1:18)
- A Philistine city, part of the pentapolis, captured by the tribe of Judah.

9. Bochim (Judges 2:1)
- A place where the Angel of the LORD rebukes the Israelites for their disobedience, leading them to weep.

10. Ophrah (Judges 6:11)
- The hometown of Gideon, where the Angel of the LORD appears to him.

11. Tabor (Judges 4:6)
- A mountain in the territory of Issachar, where Barak gathers his forces to fight against Sisera.

12. Gilead (Judges 10:8)
- A region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and as the home of Jephthah.

13. Mizpah (Judges 10:17)
- A gathering place for the Israelites, often used for assemblies and military musters.

14. Zorah (Judges 13:2)
- The hometown of Manoah and the birthplace of Samson, located in the territory of Dan.

15. Timnah (Judges 14:1)
- A Philistine town where Samson seeks a wife, leading to a series of conflicts.

16. Lehi (Judges 15:9)
- The site of Samson's battle with the Philistines, where he uses a donkey's jawbone to defeat them.

17. Shiloh (Judges 21:19)
- A central religious site in Israel, where the Ark of the Covenant is located during the period of the Judges.1. Israel's Disobedience and Consequences (Judges 2:11-15)
- After the death of Joshua, the Israelites turn away from God and worship other gods, leading to their oppression by surrounding nations. This cycle of disobedience and oppression sets the stage for the need for judges.

2. Othniel Delivers Israel (Judges 3:7-11)
- Othniel, the first judge, delivers Israel from the oppression of King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, bringing peace for 40 years.

3. Ehud and the Defeat of Moab (Judges 3:12-30)
- Ehud, a left-handed judge, delivers Israel from Moabite oppression by assassinating King Eglon. He leads the Israelites to defeat the Moabites, securing 80 years of peace.

4. Shamgar Defeats the Philistines (Judges 3:31)
- Shamgar, another judge, delivers Israel by striking down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, though his story is briefly mentioned.

5. Deborah and Barak Deliver Israel (Judges 4:1-24)
- Deborah, a prophetess and judge, alongside Barak, leads Israel to victory against the Canaanite army led by Sisera. Jael, a woman, kills Sisera, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy.

6. Gideon's Call and Victory over Midian (Judges 6:1-8:28)
- Gideon is called by God to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. With a small army of 300 men, he defeats the Midianites, demonstrating God's power.

7. Abimelech's Rise and Fall (Judges 9:1-57)
- Abimelech, Gideon's son, declares himself king and rules tyrannically. His reign ends when a woman drops a millstone on his head, leading to his death.

8. Tola and Jair Judge Israel (Judges 10:1-5)
- Tola and Jair serve as judges, bringing stability to Israel for a combined total of 45 years, though their stories are briefly mentioned.

9. Jephthah's Vow and Victory over Ammon (Judges 11:1-33)
- Jephthah, a judge, delivers Israel from the Ammonites but makes a rash vow that leads to personal tragedy involving his daughter.

10. Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon Judge Israel (Judges 12:8-15)
- These three judges lead Israel in succession, each bringing a period of peace and stability, though their stories are briefly mentioned.

11. Samson's Birth and Exploits (Judges 13:1-16:31)
- Samson, known for his great strength, is called to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines. His life is marked by personal flaws and dramatic feats, culminating in his death, which brings a significant victory over the Philistines.

12. The Idolatry of Micah and the Danites (Judges 17:1-18:31)
- The story of Micah's idolatry and the migration of the tribe of Dan highlights the religious and moral decline in Israel during this period.

13. The Outrage at Gibeah and the War Against Benjamin (Judges 19:1-21:25)
- A horrific crime in Gibeah leads to a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin, resulting in near annihilation of the tribe and highlighting the chaos and lawlessness in Israel.1. Cycle of Sin and Redemption (Judges 2:11-19)
- The Israelites repeatedly fall into a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This cycle begins with the Israelites doing evil in the sight of the Lord, leading to their oppression by surrounding nations. They cry out to God, who raises a judge to deliver them. This theme is first introduced in Judges 2:11-19, where it is summarized: "Then the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals."

2. Leadership and Judges (Judges 2:16)
- God raises judges to lead and deliver Israel from oppression. These leaders are often flawed individuals, yet they are used by God to achieve His purposes. The role of judges is first mentioned in Judges 2:16: "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of these raiders."

3. Faith and Obedience (Judges 3:7)
- The importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His commandments is a recurring theme. The Israelites' disobedience leads to their downfall, while obedience brings peace and prosperity. This theme is first seen in Judges 3:7: "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs."

4. Divine Retribution and Mercy (Judges 2:14)
- God's justice is evident in His retribution against Israel's unfaithfulness, but His mercy is also shown in His willingness to forgive and deliver them when they repent. This dual aspect of God's character is first highlighted in Judges 2:14: "So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He handed them over to raiders who plundered them."

5. Human Weakness and God's Strength (Judges 6:15)
- Many judges, like Gideon, express doubt and insecurity, yet God uses their weaknesses to demonstrate His strength and power. This theme is first illustrated in Judges 6:15, where Gideon says, "Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house."

6. Covenant Faithfulness (Judges 2:1-2)
- The theme of covenant faithfulness underscores the importance of Israel's commitment to their covenant with God. Their failure to uphold the covenant leads to dire consequences. This theme is introduced in Judges 2:1-2: "I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised your fathers. I said, 'I will never break My covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.' Yet you have not obeyed My voice."

7. Moral and Social Decline (Judges 17:6)
- The book of Judges depicts a period of moral and social decline, characterized by the phrase "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This theme is first explicitly stated in Judges 17:6, highlighting the chaos and lawlessness that ensue when there is no central leadership or adherence to God's laws.1. Deliverer (Judges 2:16)
- "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders."
- The judges in the book of Judges are seen as deliverers who save the Israelites from their enemies. This role prefigures Jesus as the ultimate Deliverer who saves humanity from sin and death.

2. Judge (Judges 2:18)
- "Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, He was with the judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived."
- The judges served as leaders and arbiters of justice for the Israelites. Jesus is seen as the ultimate Judge who will judge the living and the dead with righteousness.

3. Savior (Judges 3:9)
- "But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, as a deliverer to save them."
- Othniel and other judges acted as saviors for the Israelites in times of distress. This role is a type of Jesus, who is the Savior of the world.

4. Spirit-empowered Leader (Judges 6:34)
- "So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him."
- The empowerment of judges like Gideon by the Spirit of the Lord prefigures Jesus, who was anointed by the Holy Spirit to lead and fulfill His mission.

5. Peacemaker (Judges 8:28)
- "Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace for forty years."
- Gideon brought peace to the land during his leadership. This is seen as a type of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who brings spiritual peace to believers.

6. Redeemer (Judges 13:5)
- "For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall come over his head, for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines."
- Samson is seen as a redeemer who begins to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This role is a type of Jesus, the Redeemer who delivers humanity from sin.1. Prophecy of Israel's Oppression by Foreign Nations
- Prophecy: The Angel of the LORD warns Israel that because they have not obeyed God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land, those inhabitants will become thorns in their sides (Judges 2:1-3).
- Fulfillment: Throughout the Book of Judges, Israel is repeatedly oppressed by various foreign nations, such as the Moabites, Canaanites, Midianites, Ammonites, and Philistines, as a consequence of their disobedience (Judges 3:12-14, 4:1-3, 6:1-6, 10:7-9, 13:1).

2. Prophecy of Samson's Birth and Role
- Prophecy: An angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's wife, predicting that she will bear a son who will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The child is to be a Nazirite from birth (Judges 13:3-5).
- Fulfillment: Samson is born and grows up to become a judge of Israel. He fights against the Philistines and begins to deliver Israel from their oppression, fulfilling the prophecy given before his birth (Judges 13:24-25, 14:1-4, 15:20).

3. Prophecy of Abimelech's Downfall
- Prophecy: After Abimelech kills his brothers and becomes king, Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, delivers a parable and a curse, predicting that fire will come out from Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem to consume each other (Judges 9:7-20).
- Fulfillment: Abimelech's rule ends in violence and destruction. The leaders of Shechem turn against him, and he ultimately dies when a woman drops a millstone on his head, fulfilling Jotham's curse (Judges 9:22-57).

1. Introduction: Israel’s Disobedience and Failure  ( 1:1⁠–⁠3:6 )

a. The Conquest of Canaan Proceeds  ( 1:1⁠–⁠7 )

b. The Capture of Jerusalem and Hebron  ( 1:8⁠–⁠26 )

c. The Failure to Complete the Conquest  ( 1:27⁠–⁠36 )

d. Israel Rebuked at Bochim  ( 2:1⁠–⁠5 )

e. The Death and Burial of Joshua  ( 2:6⁠–⁠9 )

f. Israel’s Unfaithfulness  ( 2:10⁠–⁠15 )

g. Judges Raised Up  ( 2:16⁠–⁠23 )

h. Nations Left to Test Israel  ( 3:1⁠–⁠6 )

2. The History of the Judges  ( 3:7⁠–⁠16:31 )

a. Othniel  ( 3:7⁠–⁠11 )

b. Ehud  ( 3:12⁠–⁠30 )

c. Shamgar  ( 3:31 )

d. Deborah  ( 4:1⁠–⁠5:31 )

i. Barak  ( 4:1⁠–⁠16 )

ii. Jael Kills Sisera  ( 4:17⁠–⁠23 )

iii. The Song of Deborah and Barak  ( 5:1⁠–⁠31 )

e. Gideon  ( 6:1⁠–⁠8:35 )

i. Midian Oppresses Israel  ( 6:1⁠–⁠10 )

ii. God Raises Up a Judge  ( 6:11⁠–⁠40 )

1. The Call of Gideon  ( 6:11⁠–⁠24 )

2. Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar  ( 6:25⁠–⁠32 )

3. The Sign of the Fleece  ( 6:33⁠–⁠40 )

iii. The Battle with the Midianites  ( 7:1⁠–⁠8:21 )

1. Gideon’s Army of Three Hundred  ( 7:1⁠–⁠8 )

2. The Sword of Gideon  ( 7:9⁠–⁠14 )

3. Gideon Defeats Midian  ( 7:15⁠–⁠25 )

4. Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna  ( 8:1⁠–⁠21 )

iv. Gideon’s Ephod  ( 8:22⁠–⁠27 )

v. Forty Years of Peace  ( 8:28⁠–⁠31 )

vi. The Death of Gideon  ( 8:32⁠–⁠35 )

f. Abimelech son of Jerubbaal  ( 9:1⁠–⁠57 )

i. Abimelech’s Conspiracy  ( 9:1⁠–⁠6 )

ii. Jotham’s Parable  ( 9:7⁠–⁠21 )

iii. Gaal Conspires with the Shechemites  ( 9:22⁠–⁠29 )

iv. The Fall of Shechem  ( 9:30⁠–⁠49 )

v. Abimelech’s Punishment  ( 9:50⁠–⁠57 )

g. Tola  ( 10:1⁠–⁠2 )

h. Jair  ( 10:3⁠–⁠5 )

i. Jephthah  ( 10:6⁠–⁠12:7 )

i. Oppression by the Philistines and Ammonites  ( 10:6⁠–⁠18 )

ii. Jephthah Delivers Israel  ( 11:1⁠–⁠28 )

iii. Jephthah’s Tragic Vow  ( 11:29⁠–⁠40 )

iv. Jephthah Defeats Ephraim  ( 12:1⁠–⁠7 )

j. Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon  ( 12:8⁠–⁠15 )

k. Samson  ( 13:1⁠–⁠16:31 )

i. The Birth of Samson  ( 13:1⁠–⁠25 )

ii. Samson’s Marriage  ( 14:1⁠–⁠7 )

iii. Samson’s Riddle  ( 14:8⁠–⁠20 )

iv. Samson’s Revenge  ( 15:1⁠–⁠20 )

v. Samson Escapes Gaza  ( 16:1⁠–⁠3 )

vi. Samson and Delilah  ( 16:4⁠–⁠22 )

vii. Samson’s Vengeance and Death  ( 16:23⁠–⁠31 )

3. Epilogue: The Further Corruption of Israel  ( 17:1⁠–⁠21:25 )

a. Micah  ( 17:1⁠–⁠18:31 )

i. Micah’s Idolatry  ( 17:1⁠–⁠13 )

ii. The Danites Settle in Laish  ( 8:1⁠–⁠13 )

iii. The Danites Take Micah’s Idols  ( 8:14⁠–⁠31 )

b. The Crime of the Benjamites  ( 19:1⁠–⁠21:25 )

i. The Levite and His Concubine  ( 19:1⁠–⁠29 )

ii. The Decree of the Assembly  ( 20:1⁠–⁠17 )

iii. Civil War Against Benjamin  ( 20:18⁠–⁠48 )

iv. Wives for the Benjamites  ( 21:1⁠–⁠25 )