Judges

By Mary Jane Chaignot

The book of Judges comes as a sequel to the book of Joshua. As such, it is part of the Deuteronomic history, taking the tribes from the death of Joshua through to the birth of Samuel. Adding up the time each judge served covers a period of approximately 410 years. But since 1 Kings 6:1states there were only 480 years between the exodus and the fourth year of Solomon's reign, it becomes apparent that some of the judges must have ruled simultaneously. In fact, most scholars think the time period covered in Judges is markedly less than 410 years - perhaps only about 150 years - and they are not in agreement over which 150 years that would be. Estimates vary from 1400 to 1000 BCE.

Uncertainty over dates, however, is not the only problem with this book. It (along with Joshua) is perhaps one of the most violent books in the Bible. When people think of the Old Testament as being all about war and vengeance, they are probably recalling the events that occur in Judges. Perhaps that is why the book has been largely ignored by both scholars and preachers. Yet the argument can surely be made that this book, above all others, might be the most relevant one in the whole Bible. J. Clinton McCann offered this list of themes or subplots for consideration - all of which describe the contents of the book of Judges.

  • Tension and strife between rival groups
  • Disputes over land and territory
  • Uncertainty over the roles of men and women
  • Power-hungry political leaders
  • Child abuse
  • Spouse abuse
  • Senseless and excessive violence
  • Male political leaders who chase women
  • Excessive individualism
  • Moral confusion
  • Social chaos

This could be a checklist of current world concerns. Judges, then, stands as a very uncomfortable reminder of the progress we haven't made.

But Judges isn't just about events; it also is an invitation for us to view these events theologically. Judges is part of a larger story; it is canon. Underlying all the topical events is the issue of whether or not the people will be faithful to the covenant. Faithfulness implies a deep understanding that God is sovereign and that Israel's task is to honor, obey, and trust God alone.

Without giving away the ending too soon, it probably comes as no surprise to learn that Israel repeatedly fails in this endeavor. The corollary to this, then, is to discern what God does in the face of repeated faithlessness. Judges is a testament to the fact that God does not abandon His people. He does not use force nor does He simply punish their transgressions. Instead, His essential will is one of forgiveness and blessing, which sets up cycles of deliverance throughout the book. In a sense, each deliverance amounts to a new beginning, a second chance to set things right. However, as it turns out, each one is a dismal failure, resulting in additional unfaithful responses on the part of the people. Left to their own devices, the people experience the consequences of their sins and eventually cry out to God. At that point, a new judge/deliverer is raised up to end the oppression. Peace is restored until the death of that judge. Then the people return to idolatry and disobedience, and the cycle repeats itself. Unfortunately, each cycle is more disjointed than the previous one, until society itself has disintegrated into chaos. The breakdown is complete by the end of the book.

This is best illustrated by following the role of women as the book progresses. There are no less than 22 women or groups of women mentioned in this book. Though many play very minor roles, the sheer number of them is surprising in a book dedicated to the conquering of land and displacement of enemies (to say nothing of this being a very patriarchal society). Some scholars argue that this is a witness to the fact that pre-monarchial Israel was indeed more egalitarian than later generations. Perhaps. What we know for sure is that in the beginning of the book, the women are portrayed very positively (Deborah and Jael). Midway through, Jephthah's daughter is killed. Toward the end of the book, the Levite's concubine is raped, killed, and dismembered. The book ends with the abduction of 400 virgins. As the society deteriorates, confusion and chaos increase, resulting in injustices and abuses against women. If this analysis is correct, then surely it is no accident that the Book of Ruth is placed immediately following, both literarily and symbolically restoring order and honor to the role of women.

Unlike the previous books, then, it becomes apparent that there is no one charismatic leader to provide guidance and direction and intercession to God on their behalf. That makes sense considering that there are now twelve tribes living in distinct areas, each with its own needs and issues. In many cases, pockets of "enemies" separated the tribes from each other. (Needless to say, not all of the Canaanites were driven from the land.) So, as the Israelites settled in, they settled in and among pagan peoples who had their own gods. Without a centralized place of worship, it was not long before the tribes were establishing their own places of worship, oftentimes including some of the local deities, thereby setting up a recipe for failure.

God's response to their apostasies was to "raise up judges" to deliver and lead the people. The title, Judges, then is a misnomer. It doesn't really mean that these individuals came to "judge" Israel. With the possible exception of Deborah, none of the judges actually acted in a legal capacity. The Hebrew word can also mean "deliverer" or "leader." Indeed, these "judges" were charismatic figures who were divinely "raised" to meet specific needs during a time of crisis -- usually oppression by enemies. They acted alone and did not transfer leadership prior to their deaths. Our English title for the book is derived from the Vulgate whose title, Liber Judicum, literally translates the Hebrew name Sopetim, meaning judges. This is also true of the Septuagint, which titles this book kritai, the Greek word for judges. But given the fact that these people were more like tribal rulers or governors, a more appropriate title might be "The Book of Tribal Leaders!"

There are three primary sections: the time after Joshua, which provides the background for the failures to come (1-2); the narrative cycles and the twelve judges (3-16); and the epilogue, the time after the judges (17-21).

1:1-3:6 — The Time after Joshua

  • 1:2-21
    • The Faithfulness of Judah (Southern conquests)
    • The book begins and ends with a story about Judah - leading up to the primacy of Judah for the united monarchy. Here, Judah is a positive example. They attempt to possess the land and are mostly successful.
  • 1:1-3
    • Judah was chosen to go up first against the Canaanites
  • 1:4-18
    • Key victories at Jerusalem and Hebron
    • Daughter is given to victor at Debir
  • 1:19
    • One glitch - couldn't drive out the people along the plain
    • 1:20-21
      • Tribe of Benjamin failed to drive out the Jebusites
    • 1:22-36
      • Report of the Northern Tribes
      • Despite a great beginning, one by one, each tribe fails to drive out the Canaanites from the land. Accounts are more compressed.
    • 1:27-36
        • Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and the Danites were not successful in driving out the Canaanites.
      • 2:1-5
        • God's response is to proclaim His faithfulness
        • Canaanites who remain will be adversaries against the Israelites; their gods will snare the Israelites.
      • 2:6-3:6
        • Survey of History Starting with Joshua till Judges
      • 2:6-10
        • Remembering the death of Joshua
      • 2:11-15
        • Upon the death of the Joshua generation, the next one "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord"
      • 2:16-23
        • The Lord had mercy and raised up Judges, again and again
      • 3:1-6
        • Measure of Israel's spiritual condition

3:7-16:31 — Narrative and cycle of Judges

  • 3:7-11
    • Othniel was the first judge
    • He saved them from the King of Mesopotamia. Peace for 40 years
  • 3:12-31
    • Ehud delivered them from the king of Moab
    • Gory details of murdering the king; Ehud's escape
    • Land rested for 80 years
    • Shamgar delivered them from the Philistines
  • 4:1-24
    • Deborah and Barak
    • King of Canaan had commander named Sisera
    • Deborah was judging Israel at that time
    • She devised plan, went with Barak (Commander of tribe of Naphtali)
    • Drew Sisera out; he was routed in battle
    • Fled to tent of Jael, wife of a Kenite
    • Jael killed him while he was sleeping
    • Israelites prevailed over King of Canaan; 40 years of peace
  • 5:1-31
    • Song of Deborah
    • Ancient epic poem, gives glimpse into world of Northern Israel
    • Reads like a Biblical "Who's Who"
    • Celebration of the work of God
  • 6:1-24
    • Call of Gideon
    • Peace is over; Israelites in bondage to Midianites
  • 6:1-10
    • Describes situation that needed resolution
  • 6:11-24
    • Angel of the Lord calls on
    • Gideon Gideon asks for a sign
    • Makes a kid and a cake, angel instructs him to place on a rock
    • Immediate holocaust - Gideon has his sign
  • 6:25-40
    • Gideon's activities
    • Breaks down an altar to Baal, under cover of darkness
    • Townspeople were outraged; wanted to kill Gideon
    • Gideon's father chides them that Baal should fight his own battles
    • Gideon musters up followers among all the tribes
    • Asks God for one more sign - dew on fleece when all else is dry
    • Then adds one more - dry on fleece when all else is covered with dew
    • God accommodates his requests
  • 7:1-25
    • Gideon delivers Israel
  • 7:1-8
    • Battle is delayed because Israel has too many troops
    • Strategies are devised to cull out the fearful
    • Started with 32,000 troops; ended with 300
  • 7:9-14
    • Gideon goes down to Midianite camp; eavesdrops
    • Overhears a dream; interprets it to be a message from God
  • 7:15-25
    • Battle plan
    • Gideon gave each man a trumpet
    • Surrounded the Midianites at night; blew the trumpets.
    • Routed the enemy; Gideon and his men followed them all the way to the Jordan River
  • 8:1-21
    • The Dark Side of Gideon
  • 8:1-5
    • The Ephraimites felt slighted for not being included in battle
    • Gideon told them the battle had really been the Lord's
  • 8:6-9
    • Gideon pursued the Midianites
    • Asked for bread for his troops from Succoth
    • Townspeople doubted he'd return with spoils from capture, refused
    • Gideon threatened to beat them upon his return
    • Asked for bread at the next town
    • Same response from townspeople
    • Gideon promised to return and tear down their tower
  • 8:10-12
    • Captures the kings
  • 8:13-17
      • Returns to the two towns and makes good on his threats
  • 8:18-21
    • Kills the two Midianite Kings
  • 8:22-35
    • People wanted to make him king; he refused saying only the Lord would rule over them
    • Asked for earrings of gold
    • Promptly melted them down and made them into an ephod (reserved only for high priest) and wore it proudly, basically making himself the spiritual leader of the people.
    • Israel worshiped it; went to Gideon's head
    • Land had peace for 40 years
    • But this is the first time the people did evil in the sight of the Lord even before the death of the judge. Deterioration continues
  • 9:1-22
    • Rise of Abimelech (son of Gideon, also now called Jerubbaal)
    • Wanted to be king; slew 70 of his brothers (only Jotham escaped)
    • Jotham shouts a parable to the people, warning them of bad leadership
    • Then he runs away out of fear
  • 9:23-57
    • Fall of Abimelech
    • After a three-year honeymoon, the people of Shechem revolted
    • Abimelech was killed (Good example of reaping what you sow)
  • 10:1-5
    • Series of minor Judges
  • 10:6-18
    • Situation leading up to need for Jephthah
    • Israelites in bondage to Philistines and Ammonites
  • 11:1-28
    • Leaders of Gilead choose Jephthah, also a Gileadite
    • The leaders had previously banished him, now need his help
    • Offered to make him their head if he was successful
    • Jephthah tried to negotiate peace with the Ammonites
  • 11:29-40
    • Ammonites rejected peace, Jephthah's vow
    • Vow's to kill the first person he sees upon his return if he is victorious
    • He is victorious; first person happens to be his only child - a daughter
    • She accepts his vow, goes off with her friends for two months to bewail her virginity. Then he sacrifices her.
  • 12:1-7
    • Tribe of Ephraim felt slighted re: previous battle
    • Go to war against Jephthah
    • This time Jephthah does not try to negotiate (remember the Ammonites, chapter 11)
    • Warring among tribes is an indication of how society is deteriorating
  • 12:8-15
    • Another list of minor judges
  • 13:1-25
    • Birth of Samson
    • Angel of the Lord announced Samson's birth to his future parents
    • She was not to eat anything unclean or fermented
    • The son would be a Nazirite
  • 14:1-20
    • Samson falls for a foreign woman, a Philistine (Philistines are ruling over Israel at this point)
    • Demands that his parents "get her" for him
    • On the way is attacked by a lion, kills it
    • Shortly thereafter sees bees eating from the carcass
    • Goes "down" to the Philistines to marry the woman
    • Makes a wager re: new clothes with newfound companions
    • Tells them a riddle, and they can't solve it
    • Companions convince his wife to help them
    • She finds out the answer, promptly tells her "people"
    • They answer the riddle; Samson realizes he's been duped
    • Kills 30 men, takes their clothes and pays his wager
    • Leaves his bride, who is given to someone else
  • 15:1-20
    • Further vengeance by Samson
  • 15:1-8
    • Samson has a change of heart re: his wife
    • Finds out that she is married to someone else
    • Takes revenge on the Philistines by tying torches to foxes' tails and burning wheat harvest.
  • 15:9-17
    • Philistines threaten Judah, want them to hand Samson over 3000
    • Judahites go to Samson to convince him to go peacefully
    • Samson agrees, is bound, and is led away
    • As they arrive at the camp, "the Spirit of the Lord" comes upon him
    • His bonds "melt" and he slays 1000 men
  • 15:18-20
    • After his huge victory, he's thirsty with no available water
    • He prays to God; water comes out of rock
  • 16:1-31
    • Samson's downfall and death
  • 16:1-3
    • More women trouble
  • 16:4-22
    • Delilah
    • Philistines bribed Delilah to find the source of his strength
    • Three times Samson gave her bogus responses
    • She pressed him greatly
    • Eventually he said, "It's the hair."
    • She had his hair shaved while he slept
    • Philistines rushed in, paid her the money and captured Samson
    • Gouged out his eyes
  • 16:23-31
    • Death of Samson
    • Philistines gathered to worship their god, Dagon
    • Brought in Samson to make sport of him
    • Unbeknownst to them, his hair had grown back
    • Samson prayed, brought down the house (literally)
    • 3000 Philistines as well as Samson died that day
    • Samson had ruled for 20 years

17:1-21:25 — Epilogue, the Time after the Judges

  • 17:1-13
    • The Idolatry of Micah
    • Micah, (from tribe of Ephraim) stole money from his mom
    • Finally confessed. Returned it to her In her joy she offered the money to the Lord, in the form of an idol
    • Micah had already set up a shrine and had installed his son as priest
    • One day a Levite showed up at his door, looking for "whatever"
    • Micah offered to give him room and board if he'd stay and be his own "personal priest"
    • The Levite was only too happy to oblige
  • 18:1-31
    • The tribe of Dan is unsatisfied over their inheritance. They want what they feel is rightfully theirs
    • Dispatched five men to espy out the land
    • Happened upon the house of Micah
    • Recognized the Levite, asked him about the success of their journey
    • He told them what they wanted to hear
    • Danites found land way up north (beyond the Promised Land)
    • Occupied by a peaceful culture
    • Troops were gathered, stopped by Micah's house and convinced
    • Levite to join them, bringing along all of Micah's idols
    • Micah gave chase, realized he was no match for the
    • Danite army Danites routed the peaceful settlers, rebuilt the town
    • Established their own shrine, complete with their own priesthood
  • 19:1-20:48
    • Story of the Levite and his Concubine
    • This story is the epitome of the breakdown of society. The people of God are fighting among each other and doing unthinkable deeds. It says "there was no king in Israel" - they had no monarchy, but they had no loyalty to the Lord either.
  • 19:1-10
    • A Levite's concubine returned to her father's home
    • After four months, the Levite returned to take her home.
    • The father showed great hospitality - feasting and drinking for days
  • 19:11-15
    • The journey home begins
    • They have no place to rest
  • 19:16-24
    • They decide to spend the night in Gibeah, in Benjamin
    • An old man offers to put them up for the night
    • The townspeople want to "know" the Levite
    • The Levite gives them his concubine instead
  • 19:25-30
    • By morning she was dead
    • The Levite dismembered her, sending a piece to each tribe
  • 20:1-7
    • The Israelites respond to this call to arms
  • 20:8-17
    • Israelites demand the tribe of Benjamin hand over men of Gibeah
  • 20:18-25
    • Benjamites refuse, Judah goes first but is unsuccessful
  • 20:26-28
    • Israelites pray to God God responds
  • 20:29-48
    • Benjamin is defeated, Gibeah is burned
    • (Notice any major similarities with story of Sodom and Gomorrah?)
  • 21:1-25
    • Restoration of Benjamin
    • Apparently all the women of Benjamin were killed in the fray
  • 21:1-4
    • Israelites take an oath not to give any of their daughters to Benjamites
    • Then they have second thoughts
  • 21:5-15
    • Solution is to ravish city of Jabesh Gilead and take their unmarried daughters. All others are killed. 400 virgins are captured
  • 21:16-24
    • Numbers are insufficient.
    • Benjamites are encouraged to steal virgins from Shiloh, which they do
  • 21:25
    • "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes."
    • Can't get much worse than this

Unfortunately, doing what was "right in his own eyes" was terribly wrong in the eyes of the Lord. Some scholars think Judges stands as a justification for the development of the monarchy. It is true that Israel needed solid leadership, but there are also several theological points worth noting. The consequences of disobeying the covenant are harsh - a total breakdown of their society. Still, God did not abandon them. More to the point, it's a miracle they weren't wiped off the face of the earth. Lastly, God is sovereign. No matter how bad they were, God still managed to bring something good out of it, a new vision, a continuing story. Next month, we will examine a brighter story with a much different purpose and a much better ending.

Bibliography

Auld, A. Graeme. "Joshua, Judges, and Ruth." The Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1984.

Block, Daniel. "Judges, Ruth." The New American Commentary. Nashville,TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.

Buttrick George, ed. Interpreter's Bible. New York, Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1953.

Dummelow, J.R. A Commentary on the Holy Bible. New York: MacMillan Publishing, 1977.

Hamlin, E. John. "Judges, At Risk in the Promised Land." The International Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans, 1990.

Harris, J. Gordon. "Joshua, Judges, Ruth." New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000.

Mills, Watson and Richard Wilson. Mercer Commentary on the Bible. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1995

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