Judges; Book of

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

Governors of Israel between Joshua and the kings

They were called of God, elective or usurpative. Qualification, martial or moral prowess. Rule arbitrary. Fifteen are recorded. Period, B. C. 1400-1091, about 310 years. Book of Judges, 7th of O. T., probably compiled by Samuel. Its history is that of a tumultuous period, completing Joshua’s conquests and leading to legitimate kingly rule.

Concise Bible Dictionary:

This book is occupied with the period from the death of Joshua to the time of Samuel. Joshua, the man of faith, before he died gave them good advice and solemn warnings. The people answered, “The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.” They had now, under the guidance and power of God, to work out their own salvation. They served the Lord as long as Joshua lived and the elders he had appointed, and then they forsook God, allied themselves by marriage with the Canaanites, and turned to idolatry. It is a vivid illustration of the history of the professing church, which, after the times of the apostles, rapidly became worldly, and had to be disciplined by God, though there have been revivals, as there were in the time of the Judges.

A long catalog had to be made of the districts from which the tribes did not drive out the Canaanites. Israel being thus unfaithful, making a league with the inhabitants, and regardless of their evil, the Lord let them remain to prove Israel: in like manner the world-bordering of the church has become a snare to it constantly. The Angel of the Lord was at Gilgal during the book of Joshua (to which place the Israelites should in spirit have constantly returned: it is the place of circumcision, that is, for the Christian, thorough separation from the first man); but now He came to Bochim, and reminded them that He had delivered them from Egypt, and had declared that He would never break His covenant with Israel; they were to make no league with the people of the land, but they had not obeyed His voice. The failure was now irretrievable. The people wept and sacrificed there.

Nevertheless they formed alliances with the Canaanites, and sacrificed to Baalim. Then they were oppressed by their enemies; but as often as they turned to the Lord, He raised up a judge who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors. Yet when the judge died, they returned again to their evil ways. This experience of evil doing—oppression, repentance, and deliverance—occurred again and again during a period of over three hundred years. (The action of the judges is considered under the name of each.)

Judges 17-21 are not in historical order, but are grouped together to show the inner life of the people.

Judges 17-18 disclose a sad attempt to mingle the worship of God with domestic idolatry, See MICAH No. 1.

Judges 19-21 show the moral character of the people, especially of Benjamin, who brought upon themselves severe punishment. When the other tribes saw the destruction they had made upon Benjamin they came to the house of God and wept, lamenting that one tribe was lacking in Israel; but no mention is made of their weeping over the sin that had brought it all about.

The book ends by repeating what it had said elsewhere: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” God would have been their king if they would have been His subjects.

The chronology of the book of Judges presents some difficulties. It is clear from various passages that the periods during which the judges ruled could not all have been consecutive. The 480 years from the Exodus to the fourth year of Solomon (1 Kings 6:1¹And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. (1 Kings 6:1)), necessarily shortens the period of the judges, and one passage in the book itself implies that two of the oppressions were going on at the same time, namely, that of the Philistines and of Ammon (Judg. 10:7⁷And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. (Judges 10:7)). In Acts 13:20²⁰And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. (Acts 13:20) the AV reads that God gave them judges about the space of 450 years until Samuel the prophet. This would not agree with the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1¹And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. (1 Kings 6:1); but there is a different reading in Acts 13, which has been adopted by editors of the Greek Testament and in the RV irrespective of all questions of chronology. It reads “He divided to them their land by lot, about 450 years; and afterward He gave them judges”; thus the 450 years are not applied to the duration of the judges. This period may have been made up thus, reckoning from the birth of Isaac, because the promise was to the seed of Abraham, and Isaac was the child of promise.

Years

Age of Isaac when Jacob was born, Gen. 25:26²⁶And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. (Genesis 25:26) 60

Age of Jacob when he stood before Pharaoh 130

Age of Israel in Egypt 215

Age of Israel in the wilderness 40

Age to the division of the land 7

(about 450 years). 452 (sum of the above years)

The 480 years 1 Kings 6:1¹And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. (1 Kings 6:1) have been arranged thus, though this may not be absolutely correct.

Years

From the Exodus to the crossing of the Jordan 40

From the Jordan to the division of the land 7

Rest under Joshua and the Elders Judges 2:7⁷And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel. (Judges 2:7) 12

Oppression by the king of Mesopotamia Judges 3:8⁸Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years. (Judges 3:8) 8

Othniel judge Judges 3:11¹¹And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. (Judges 3:11) 40

Oppression by the Moabites Judges 3:14¹⁴So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. (Judges 3:14) 18

Ehud and Shamgar Judges 3:30³⁰So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years. (Judges 3:30) 80

Oppression by king Jabin Judges 4:3³And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. (Judges 4:3) 20

Deborah and Barak Judges 5:31³¹So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years. (Judges 5:31) 40

Oppression by the Midianites Judges 6:1¹And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. (Judges 6:1) 7

Gideon Judges 8:28²⁸Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon. (Judges 8:28) 40

Abimelech Judges 9:22²²When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, (Judges 9:22) 3

Tola Judges 10:2²And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir. (Judges 10:2) 23

Jair Judges 10:3³And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. (Judges 10:3) 22

In the West. In the East.

Oppression by the Philistines, during which Samson was judge, and Samuel after Eli. Judges 13:1; 40 years Oppression by the Amonites, Judges 10:8⁸And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. (Judges 10:8) 18

From the crossing of the Jordan to here is about 338 years—the 300 years in round numbers of Judges 11:26²⁶While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time? (Judges 11:26).

From Mizpeh (1 Sam. 7:12-13¹²Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. ¹³So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. (1 Samuel 7:12‑13)) to the anointing of Saul; 9 years Jephthah, Judges 12:7⁷And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. (Judges 12:7) 6

Ibzan, Judges 12:9⁹And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. (Judges 12:9) 7

Elon, Judges 12:11¹¹And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. (Judges 12:11) 10

Abdon, Judges 12:14¹⁴And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. (Judges 12:14) 8

Saul (in the former part of which Samuel was judge) Acts 13:21²¹And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. (Acts 13:21) 40

David 1 Kings 2:11¹¹And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. (1 Kings 2:11) 40

Solomon’s fourth year 1 Kings 6:1¹And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. (1 Kings 6:1) 3

The above totals 492 years

Deduct for parts of years being reckoned as full years -12

480

	1. Othniel	40 years, chapter 3:8-11.
	2. Ehud	80 years, chapter 3:12-30.
	3. Shamgar	- - - - chapter 3:31.
	4. Deborah and Barak	40 years, chapters 4-5.
	5. Gideon	40 years, chapters 6-8.
	6. Abimelech	3 years, chapter 9.
	7. Tola	23 years, chapter 10:1-2.
	8. Jair	22 years, chapter 10:3-5.
	9. Jephthah	6 years, chapter 11-12:7.
	10. Ibzan	7 years, chapter 12: 8-10.
	11. Elon	10 years, chapter 12:11-12.
	12. Abdon	8 years, chapter 12:13-15.
	13. Samson	20 years, chapters 13-16.

“Judges” From Bible Handbook:

1425 B.C. – 21 Chapters – 618 Verses

The utter failure of Israel in maintaining their conquests in Canaan; their wickedness and idolatry through association with the heathen and their general unfaithfulness to Jehovah; their misery, captivities, and tears make up a painful and exceedingly humbling history. The story of Israel’s declension from God and His testimony is here broadly noted on every page of the inspired record. The energy of faith characteristic of the first part of the book of Joshua present a sorrowful contrast to the history recorded in this book. Here all is changed; the atmosphere you breathe is heavy; Israel is under a dark cloud. Why all this? Has God failed them? No; “He abideth faithful — He cannot deny Himself,” while everything entrusted to man and the church has proved a signal failure. Man is a leaking vessel, and cannot hold the blessing, be it ever so fully and preciously freighted. But the counsels of God, whether as they respect Israel, the world, or the church, will be infallibly secured, because the divine purposes are lodged for their accomplishment in Christ, the second man. This book, however, is not one only of failure, for it records many and sovereign acts of deliverance wrought for the people when they cried to Jehovah. The evil in Israel waxed worse and worse, until it culminated in the rejection of the theocracy, or the divine government of Jehovah (1 Sam. 8).

“The misery into which their unfaithfulness brought them moving the compassion of God, His mighty grace raised up deliverers by His Spirit in the midst of the fallen and wretched people. “For His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” But Israel was unchanged. “And yet they would not hearken unto their judges ... And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods, to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.” This is the sorrowful history of the people of God; but it is also the history of the grace of God and of His compassion towards His people.”

This book gives the dark period of Israel’s history under thirteen judges (which gives its name to the book) from the death of Joshua till the death of Samson, adding some supplementary matter which presents an awful picture of Israel’s idolatry and wickedness. The judges here specified did not administer the affairs of all Israel, but exercised their sovereignty only over a limited district or part of the country. The judgeship of Samuel was an exception (1 Sam. 7:15-17¹⁵And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. ¹⁶And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. ¹⁷And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord. (1 Samuel 7:15‑17)). Although Eli the priest, and Samuel the prophet, both in succession judged Israel, yet they are wisely omitted from the history of the judges as recorded in this book, as that was not what characterized them in the mind of the Spirit of God. It is the mission of the first book of Samuel to develop and show the connection of the three great institutions designed for the blessing of man and creation, namely, Priesthood, Prophecy, and Kingly Government; hence Eli the priest, Samuel the prophet, and Saul the king, are the prominent personages in the first book of Samuel. Abimelech amongst the Judges sought to forestall the purposes of God by reigning over Israel (Judg. 9) as king, but the attempt ended in utter failure and disgrace to all connected with it.

The whole period of time covered by the Judges was 450 years (Acts 13:20²⁰And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. (Acts 13:20)). Their several oppressions in all amounted to 111 years, not counted in Divine history.

The Reformation and recovery at certain seasons of truths long buried beneath the rubbish of centuries, find a certain analogy in the book of Judges; thus the principles herein developed are of great importance to the Church of God. Revivals, in the true sense of the word, are the answer to the deliverances here accorded to Israel. The first verse of the second chapter, “from Gilgal to Bochim,” gives the key to the understanding of the book. After the death of Joshua the internal condition of the people rapidly declined, until they sunk so low as to form alliances with the very people whom they should have utterly exterminated, and, forgetful of Jehovah, gave themselves up to the worship of “Balaam and the groves.” Unfaithful within, the Israelites fall into the hands of the enemy without. The first of Israel’s deliverers was Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother, who judged Israel forty years (Judg. 3:8-11⁸Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years. ⁹And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. ¹⁰And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. ¹¹And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. (Judges 3:8‑11)); the last was Samson, whose interesting history occupies Judges 13 to 16.

General Divisions

Chapters 1-3:7 — The utter failure of the people after the death of Joshua in not rooting out the Canaanites according to Divine command, and in turning to the idolatry of the heathen.

Chapters 3:8-16 — Israel oppressed by the surrounding nations, and the sovereign character of the deliverances vouchsafed — from Othniel to Samson.

Chapters 17-21 — A chapter of idolatry and wickedness.

The names of the thirteen Judges and the several periods of rest granted to the people consequent on the various deliverances wrought on their behalf, are as follows: —

“Judges of Israel” From Bible Handbook:

B. C.

1405 Othniel Deliverance from Mesopotamia.

1325 Ehud Deliverance from Moab.

1303 Shamgar Deliverance from the Philistines.

1285 Barak and Deborah Deliverance from the Canaanites.

1245 Gideon Deliverance from the Midianites.

1236 Abimelech Usurped royal authority.

1232 Tola The seventh deliverer of Israel.

1232 Jair The eighth deliverer of Israel.

1188 Jephthah Deliverance from the Ammonites.

1182 Ibzan Had thirty daughters.

1175 Elon The eleventh deliverer of Israel.

1165 Abdon Had forty sons and thirty nephews.

1157 Eli Judge and priest.

1137 Samson Whose might lay in his Nazariteship.

1114 Samuel Judge and prophet.

Judges; Book of

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

Concise Bible Dictionary:

“Judges” From Bible Handbook:

“Judges of Israel” From Bible Handbook:

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