Judges — Introduction & Outline

The book is anonymous, but the Jewish Talmud attributes its writing to Samuel. There is much evidence showing either Samuel or a contemporary was the author. First, it was written after the ark was removed from Shiloh (18:31; 20:27; 1 Sam. 4:3-11) and after the beginning of Saul's reign , but before the divided kingdom (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25) and before David dispossessed the Jebusites from Jerusalem in 1004 B.C (1:21; 2 Sam. 5:5-9). Thus it was written during the lifetime of Samuel. The consistent style and structure suggest a single author, and since Samuel was a writer and educator (1 Sam. 10:25), he is the most logical choice.

If Samuel is assumed as the author, the date of writing can be placed somewhere between 1043 B.C. (the beginning of Saul's reign) and 1004 B.C. (David's capture of Jerusalem).

Judges is linked to the book of Joshua by the repetition of the account of Joshua's death (2:5-9; Josh. 24:29-31) and is thus seen as its sequel. Joshua had secured the general area of Canaan, but had left large areas unpossessed (1:2-36; Josh. 13:1). Judges is the thematic history of the struggle of Israel to finally fulfill God's command to possess all the land. It represents the transitional period between the mediatorial role of Moses and Joshua and that of the monarchs. During this period there was no national ruler, but God raised up local deliverers or "judges" who represented God's rule.

The book covers a period of some 300 years from about 1390-1350 B.C. (near the death of Joshua) to about 1050 B.C (the beginning of Saul's monarchy). It is generally agreed that the periods of oppressions and judgeships overlapped since they were geographically limited. Judges describes these cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance by geographical region: the southern region (3:7-31); the northern region (4:1-5:31); the central region (6:1- 10:5); the eastern region (10:6-12:15); and the western region (13:1-16:31). Apostasy had pervaded the whole land of Israel.

Besides the historical purpose of documenting the period of Israel's apostasy in the time between Joshua's death and the monarchy, Judges has the theological purpose of validating the consequences of disobedience under the covenant of law. Israel is shown failing the test of obedience posed by the remaining nations (3:1-6). Judges also illustrates Israel's disobedience to YHWH's kingship mediated through local leaders, or "judges" (17:6; 21:25), and emphasizes the need for a centralized hereditary kingship as the means through which YHWH could continue to rule Israel (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).

The history of Israel's failure is recorded in three segments. The first segment is an introduction which shows the causes that led to failure (1:1-3:6). The main body of the book records the various cycles of oppression and deliverance (3:7-16:31). The book then con-cludes with two climactic examples of Israel's depravity (17:1-21:25).

The causes behind Israel's failure form a background for the rest of the book (1:1- 3:6). Their failure to conquer all the land (1:1-2:10) is pictured as blatant disobedience to God's command to do so (2:1-3). Israel also failed to keep the covenant by their adoption of religious idolatry (2:11-3:6). God's retribution for their rebellion is according to the stipulations of the covenant (2:15,20-21). Here the cycle of sin, servitude, and salvation is introduced as a pattern for the rest of the book (2:11-19). God left the pagan nations as a way to test Israel's fidelity to the covenant (2:20-3:6).

The main text of Judges is a record of the cycles of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and God's faithful deliverance through the medium of judges (3:7-16:31). The first cycle describes the judgeship of Othniel and deliverance from Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia (3:7-11). Next, Ehud delivers from the Moabites (3:12-30) and Shamgar from the Philistines (3:31). The fourth judgeship and the deliverance from the Canaanites (4:1-5:31) may serve to highlight the depraved condition of Israel since it was necessary for both a woman to judge (Deborah) and to defeat the enemy (Jael).

The account of Gideon's deliverance from the Midianites is given considerable treatment (6:1-8:35), perhaps because it illustrates that God will save His people against all odds if there is only minimal faith and obedience (6:10,15,36-40; 7:7). The story also reminds that God is the rightful Ruler over Israel (8:23) and demonstrates their need for a theocratic monarchy (8:33). The desperation and misguidance of the Israelites in their desire for a ruler next invites the corrupt rule of Abimelech, Gideon's son by a concubine (9:1-57).

Mention is barely made of the judgeships of Tola and Jair (10:1-5) before Jephthah becomes the focus of a lengthy narrative (10:6-12:7). This harlot's son delivers the Israelites from Ammonite oppression (11:1-40) after Israel once more confesses their rebellion against God (10:6-18). The downward spiral of Israel's sin is evidenced under Jephthah in his rash vow (11:29-40) and the civil war with the Ephraimites (12:1-7). Three judgeships merit brief mention after Jephthah's: that of Ibzan, of Elon, and of Abdon (12:8-15).

The last judgeship, Samson's, occupies a major portion of the narrative on the cycles of sin and deliverance (13:1-16:31). His miraculous birth shows God's special hand in electing him and consecrating him as a Nazarite (13:1-25). Still, sin is so pervasive in Israel that Samson is snared by immoral and licentious living that results in a sinful marriage (14:1-20), betrayal by the tribe of Judah (15:1-20), and his fatal association with the harlot Delilah (16:1-31). God is faithful to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines even though His chosen mediator was himself corrupt.

The final segment of Judges serves as a climax to Israel's record of failure (17:1- 21:25). The totality of Israel's idolatry is seen in the story of Micah's idolatry and his adoption of a Levite to be a priest of idolatry (17:1-13). But further, the whole tribe of Dan is given to idolatry as they search for a dwelling place and appropriate Micah's idol for themselves (18:1- 31). The final focus of the text is on the tragic depravity of the Benjamites and their subsequent war with Israel (19:1-21:25). Their sin in Gibeah is shockingly heinous (19:1-30) and their war with Israel is a national disgrace (20:1-48) which leads to a national embarrassment when the

Benjamites are left without wives (21:1-25). That Judges concludes with such an opprobrium empha¬sizes the failure of God's people and the need for a theocratic ruler.

1. The Causes of Israel's Failure 1:1-3:6

   1. The military failure to conquer the land 1:1-2:10

      1. The record of the failure to completely conquer 1:1-36
      1. Judah partially conquers southern Canaan. 1:1-20
      1. Judah's selection to fight the Canaanites 1:1-3
      2. Judah's conquests over the Canaanites 1:4-18
      3. Judah's failure with the Canaanites 1:19-20
      2. Benjamin fails against the Jebusites. 1:21
      3. Joseph's house partially conquers central Canaan. 1:22-29
      1. The success of Joseph's house 1:22-26
      2. The failure of Joseph's house 1:27-29
      4. Israelite tribes fail in northern Canaan. 1:30-33
      5. Dan fails against the Amorites. 1:34-36
      2. The announcement of judgment because of the failure 2:1-6
      3. The death of Joshua and the old generation 2:7-10
   2. The religious failure to keep the covenant 2:11-3:6

      1. The pattern of religious failure 2:11-19
      1. The sin of the Israelites 2:11-13
      2. The servitude of the Israelites 2:14-15
      3. The salvation of the Israelites 2:16-19
      2. The results of religious failure 2:20-3:6
      1. The announcement of remaining nations 2:20-23
      2. The identification of remaining nations 3:1-6
2. The Cycles of Israel's Failure 3:7-16:31

   1. The judgeship of Othniel and Mesopotamian oppression 3:7-11
   2. The judgeship of Ehud and Moabite oppression 3:12-30

      1. The distress of the Israelites under the Moabites 3:12-14
      2. The deliverance of the Israelites by Ehud 3:15-30
   3. The judgeship of Shamgar and Philistine oppression 3:31
   4. The judgeship of Deborah and Canaanite oppression 4:1-5:31

      1. The distress of the Israelites under the Canaanites 4:1-3
      2. The deliverance of the Israelites by Deborah and Barak 4:4-24
      1. The alliance of Deborah and Barak 4:4-10
      2. The defeat of the Canaanites 4:11-24
      3. The song of Deborah and Barak 5:1-31
      1. The need for deliverance 5:1-11
      2. The deliverance through Deborah and Barak 5:12-31
   5. The judgeship of Gideon and Midianite oppression 6:1-8:35

      1. The distress of the Israelites under the Midianites 6:1-10
      2. The call of Gideon to deliver the Israelites 6:11-40

         1. The call of Gideon 6:11-18
         2. The first confirmation of his call 6:19-24
         3. The destruction of the altar of Baal 6:25-32
         4. The second confirmation of his call 6:33-40
      3. The deliverance of the Israelites by Gideon 7:1-8:21

         1. The preparation for battle with the Midianites 7:1-18
         1. The selection of three hundred men 7:1-8
         2. The assurance of victory 7:9-14
         3. The instructions for battle 7:15-18
         2. The victory over the Midianites 7:19-8:21
         1. The initial rout of the Midianites 7:19-25
         2. The anger of Ephraim 8:1-3
         3. The pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna 8:4-17
         4. The execution of Zebah and Zalmunna 8:18-21
      4. The rule of Gideon over the Israelites 8:22-28
      5. The death of Gideon and the sin of Israel 8:29-35

         1. Gideon dies. 8:29-32
         2. Israel returns to idolatry. 8:33-35
   6. The judgeship of Abimelech 9:1-57

      1. The conspiracy of Abimelech 9:1-6
      2. The denunciation of Abimelech by Jotham 9:7-21

         1. The parable of the trees 9:7-15
         2. The application to Abimelech 9:16-21
      3. The downfall of Abimelech 9:22-57

         1. The plot of Gaal against Abimelech 9:22-33
         2. The defeat of Gaal by Abimelech 9:34-41
         3. The destruction of Shechem by Abimelech 9:42-49
         4. The death of Abimelech 9:50-57
   7. The judgeships of Tola and Jair 10:1-5

      1. The judgeship of Tola 10:1-2
      2. The judgeship of Jair 10:3-5
   8. The judgeship of Jephthah and Ammonite oppression 10:6-12:7

      1. The distress of the Israelites under the Ammonites 10:6-18

         1. Israel's sin and servitude 10:6-9
         2. Israel's supplication 10:10-16
         3. Israel's search for a deliverer 10:17-18
      2. The deliverance of the Israelites by Jephthah 11:1-40

         1. The background of Jephthah 11:1-3
         2. The call of Jephthah 11:4-11
         3. The diplomacy of Jephthah 11:12-28
         4. The vow and victory of Jephthah 11:29-40
         1. His vow 11:29-31
         2. His victory 11:32-33
         3. His daughter 11:34-40
      3. The conflict of Jephthah and the Ephraimites 12:1-7
   9. The judgeships of Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon 12:8-15

      1. The judgeship of Ibzan 12:8-10
      2. The judgeship of Elon 12:11-12
      3. The judgeship of Abdon 12:13-15
   10. The judgeship of Samson and Philistine oppression 13:1-16:31

       1. The miraculous birth of Samson 13:1-25

          1. The announcement of the Angel of the Lord 13:1-7
          2. The instruction of the Angel of the Lord 13:8-14
          3. The burnt offering to the Lord 13:15-23
          4. The birth and growth of Samson 13:24-25
       2. The sinful marriage of Samson 14:1-20

          1. The courtship of the woman 14:1-9
          2. The riddle at the wedding feast 14:10-20
       3. The conquests of Samson 15:1-20

          1. The vengeance of Samson on the Philistines 15:1-8
          2. The arrest of Samson by the men of Judah 15:9-13
          3. The victory of Samson with the jawbone 15:14-20
       4. The downfall of Samson 16:1-31

          1. Samson's dalliance with a harlot 16:1-3
          2. Samson's deception by Delilah 16:4-22
          1. Samson's deception saves him. 16:4-14
          2. Samson's truthfulness ensnares him. 16:15-22
          3. Samson's death with the Philistines 16:23-31
3. The Climax of Israel's Failure 17:1-21:25

   1. Micah's idolatry and Dan's migration 17:1-18:31

      1. The idolatry of Micah 17:1-13

         1. The making of the idols 17:1-6
         2. The hiring of a Levite as priest 17:7-13
      2. The idolatry and migration of Dan 18:1-31

         1. The activity of the spies 18:1-10
         2. The adoption of Micah's idols and priest 18:11-26
         3. The migration to Laish and practice of idolatry 18:27-31
   2. Benjamin's immorality and war with Israel 19:1-21:25

      1. The sin of the Benjamites 19:1-30

         1. The Levite and his concubine 19:1-21
         1. The visit with her father 19:1-9
         2. The lodging in Gibeah 19:10-21
         2. The death of the concubine 19:22-30
      2. The war with the Benjamites 20:1-48

         1. The gathering of Israel's tribes 20:1-11
         2. The rejection of Israel's demand 20:12-17
         3. The defeat of Israel's troops 20:18-28
         4. The victory of Israel's troops 20:29-48
         1. The success of the ambush 20:29-35
         2. The account of the ambush 20:36-48
      3. The wives for the Benjamites 21:1-25

         1. The problem of wives for the Benjamites 21:1-7
         2. The first supply of wives for the Benjamites 21:8-15
         3. The second supply of wives for the Benjamites 21:16-25