INTRODUCTION

The Book of Judges was likely written by Samuel (Judges 18:31; 20:27) between 1045 and 1000 B.C. Joshua had led them to the Promised Land and told them to obey the commandments of the Lord showing to the other nations who God is. Judges begins with the death of Joshua.

Chapters 1 2 Condition of the Nation. The tribe of Judah, Simeon, Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, Dan have limited victories. It leaves a list of countries yet to be conquered (Judges

Chapters 3 16 Conquests of the Judges. The people did what was right in their own eyes when they did not acknowledge God as their King. They sinned against God. God allowed their enemies to be strong and they were oppressed. So, the people repent and asked God to help. And then, God appointed a judge to deliver them. These 'judges' were more of a political, military leader or like tribal chieftain. men (and one woman), whom God called to deliver them from the harassment of the enemies and to lead them.

There are six periods of judges who delivered Israel each time they turn into apostasy and conquered by the enemy. 1st Othniel delivered them from Mesopotamia (3:1-11) 2nd Ehud and Shamgar conquered the Moabites and Philistines; (3:12-31) 3rd Deborah and Barak conquered Jabin, king of Canaan (4-5) 4th Gideon, conquered Midian (6-8) Abimelech, Tola and Jair (8-10) 5th Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon conquered the Philistines and Ammonites; (10-12) 6th Samson conquered by Philistines (13 -16)

Chapters 17 21 Confusion of the People. The people continue to spiral down in sin of idolatry and Micah and Dan conflict that result in civil war. They turn to religious apostasy (17-18) immorality (19) and political anarchy (20-21)

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