Summary of the Book of Judges

Author:
The Book of Judges does not specifically name its author. The tradition holds that the Prophet Samuel was the author of Judges. Internal evidence suggests that the author of Judges lived shortly after the period of the Judges. Samuel meets this qualification. Full article: Who wrote the book of Judges? Who was the author of Judges?

Date of Writing:
The Book of Judges was likely written between 1045 and 1000 B.C.

Purpose of Writing:
The Book of Judges can be divided into two sections: 1) Chapters 1-16 which provide an account of the wars of deliverance starting with the Israelites’ defeat of the Canaanites and concluding with the defeat of the Philistines and the death of Samson; 2) Chapters 17-21 which serve as an appendix and do not directly relate to the preceding chapters. These chapters are described as a time “when there was no king in Israel (Judges 17:6;Judges 18:1;Judges 19:1;21:25).” The Book of Ruth was initially part of the Book of Judges, but in A.D. 450, it was separated to become a book of its own.

Key Verses:

Judges 2:16-19: “Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. Unlike their fathers, they quickly turned from the way in which their fathers had walked, the way of obedience to the LORD’s commands. Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than t

Those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.”

Judges 10:15: “But the Israelites said to the LORD, ‘We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.’”

Judges 21:25: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”

Brief Summary:
The Book of Judges covers about 330 years of Israel’s history (c. 1383 BC to c. 1052 BC) and is a tragic account of how Yahweh [God] was taken for granted by His children year after year, century after century. Judges is a sad contrast to the book of Joshua which chronicles the blessings God bestowed on the Israelites for their obedience in conquering the land. In Judges, they were disobedient and idolatrous, leading to their many defeats. Yet God has never failed to open His arms in love to His people whenever they repent from their wicked ways and call upon His name «And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. », (Judges 2:18). Through the twelve judges of Israel, God honored His promise to Abraham to protect and bless his offspring (Genesis 12:2-3).

After the death of Joshua and his contemporaries, the Israelites returned to serving Baal and Ashtaroth. God allowed the Israelites to suffer the consequences of worshiping false gods. It was then that the people of God would cry out to Yahweh for help. God sent His children judges to lead them in righteous living. But time after time they would turn their backs on God and return to their lives of wickedness. However, keeping His part of the covenant with Abraham, God would save His people from t

Their oppressors throughout the 480-year span of the Book of Judges.

Probably the most notable judge was the 12th judge, Samson, who came to lead the Israelites after a 40-year captivity under the rule of the ruthless Philistines. Samson led God’s people to victory over the Philistines where he lost his own life after 20 years as judge of Israel.

Foreshadowings:
The announcement to Samson’s mother that she would bear a son to lead Israel is a foreshadowing of the announcement to Mary of the birth of the Messiah. God sent His Angel to both women and told them they would “conceive and bear a son” (Judges 13:7;Luke 1:31) who would lead God’s people.

God’s compassionate delivery of His people despite their sin and rejection of Him presents a picture of Christ on the cross. Jesus died to deliver His people—all who would ever believe in Him—from their sin. Although most of those who followed Him during His ministry would eventually fall away and reject Him, still He remained faithful to His promise and went to the cross to die for us.

Practical Application:
Disobedience always brings judgment. The Israelites present a perfect example of what we are not to do. Instead of learning from experience that God will always punish rebellion against Him, they continued to disobey and suffer God’s displeasure and discipline. If we continue in disobedience, we invite God’s discipline, not because He enjoys our suffering, but “because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son” «For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. », (Hebrews 12:6).

The Book of Judges is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Even “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful” «if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. », (2 Timothy 2:13). Even if we are unfaithful to Him, like the Israelites, He remains faithful to rescue and protect us “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”, (1 Thessalonians 5:24) and to forgive us when we ask for forgiveness “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”, (1 John 1:9). “He will also keep you firm to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).