Bitesize Bible Study – The Book Of Judges

By Anushka, on 27th March 2011

What is the Book of Judges about?

The book covers the period between the death of Joshua and the time of the judge Samuel, roughly 450 years.
During that time there was no king in Israel.
God was the king, and the judges were his servants who led the people.
From time to time the people would turn away from God and God would send an enemy upon the land.
The people would cry to God for help and he would set up a judge to lead them to victory.
This pattern repeated throughout the generations until the time of Samuel.

Who were the main judges of Israel?

Othniel: Chapter 3

Ehud: Chapter 3

Deborah and Barak: Chapters 4 & 5

Gideon: Chapters 6 – 8

Defeated the Midianites with only 300 men, in a night attack, using trumpets and torches concealed in pitchers.

Jephthah: Chapter 11

Led the Israelites in victory against the Ammonites.
Vowed to sacrifice to God the first thing that came out his house on his way home from victory.
Unfortunately this was his daughter – although some think her sacrifice was merely a life devoted to temple service.

Samson: Chapters 13 – 16

A Nazarite from birth – a special vow to God meaning he did not drink alcohol, or cut his hair.
Samson had exceptional strength and used it to help fight the Philistines, Israel’s current oppressors.
He was in love with Delilah, a Philistine woman, who enticed the secret of his strength out of him – his long hair – and betrayed him to the Philistines.
Captured by the Philistines and chained in their temple, God gave him strength one last time.
He pulled the supporting pillars down, destroying the temple, and killing all the Philistines and himself as well.

Lessons from Judges

Although God sent judgment on the people, he always listened when they turned back to him.
His mercy and concern for His people was ever present.
The judges point the way to Jesus, the great Judge.

Next time – Bitesize Book of Ruth!

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