Overview of the Book of Judges

Judges

Judges 2:7-10 (NKJV)

So, the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders

who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord Which He had done

for Israel. Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died when he was one hundred

and ten years old. And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnathheres, in the

mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.

Judges 2:16 (NKJV)

Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of

those who plundered them.

1. Author

• The author is unknown
• It is believed that Samuel wrote a portion of the book of Judges

2. Date

• About 1050-1000 B.C.

3. Theme

• Disobedience brings oppression
• Repentance
• God's Provision of Deliverance

4. Purpose

• The book of Judges tells of the history of the Israelites from the death of Joshua until the ministry of Samuel (approximately 350 years).
•  During this time the people repeatedly turned from following God. Their disobedience brought bondage and oppression. 
• God raised up fifteen Judges to bring deliverance to His people. The best-known Judges are Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. 
• The book of Judges covers 13 of the 15 Judges.

5. Content

• Condition of the Israelites: Judges 1:1-3:6

Judges 2:17-18(NKJV)

Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods,

and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked,

in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so. And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD Was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD Was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them.

• Ruling Judges: Judges 3:7-16:31

Judge	Reference	Judge	Reference
Othniel	Judges 3:7-11	Jair	Judges 10:3-5
Ehud (the only left-handed judge)	Judges 3:12-30	Jephthah	Judges 10:6-12:7
Shamgar	Judges 3:31	Ibzan	Judges 12:8-10
Deborah	Judges 4:1-5:31	Elon	Judges 12:11-12
Gideon	Judges 9:1-57	Samson	Judges 13-16
Tola	Judges 10:1-2

• Idolatry and Civil War: Judges 17:1-21:25
• The worship of foreign gods (Judges 17-18)
• The attack on the tribe of Benjamin because of the Levite's concubine (Judges 19-21)

6. Christ in the book of Judges

• Christ as our deliver and righteous judge

2 Timothy 4:8(NKJV)

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the

righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have

loved His appearing.

Acts 17:31(NKJV)

because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by

the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from

the dead. 

Proceed to Ruth

Return to the Book of Joshua

Old Testament Survey

Site Map