Outline of Judges

Revised by Dennis Olson (10/25)

Prologue: The Israelites’ Incomplete Conquest of the Canaanites in the Land and the Death of JoshuaThe successor of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan. More (Judges 1:1-2:10)

The conquest of Canaan is presented as a gradual process with victories (1:1-26) and defeats (1:27-36) by various tribes. This is at odds with some parts of the Book of Joshua, which envision a unified and successful conquest of all of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua (Joshua 10:40; 11:16-23).  

1. First Cycle: Judges in the Time of the Canaanites (Judges 2:11–5:31)

Although other nations are mentioned as enemies of the Israelites in this first cycle (e.g., Moab, Aram, Philistines), the Canaanites play the most prominent role, especially in 2:11-3:6 and 4-5.

A.  Introduction to the First Cycle: A Recurring Pattern (Judges 2:11-3:6)

Each of the three cycles of Judges’ stories that follow (2:11-5:31; 6:1-10:5; 10:6-16:13) opens with a Deuteronomistic introduction (shaped by key phrases and themes from the Book of Deuteronomy). This first introduction recounts what will become a recurring cyclical pattern: Israel’s apostasy or worship of foreign gods (2:11-12), followed by oppression by the enemy which God allows as punishment (2:13-15), and God’s deliverance by means of a “judge” (2:16). The repetition of this pattern will be featured at the beginning of each of the three cycles of the stories in the Book of Judges.

B. Othniel versus Cushan-rishathaim (Judges 3:7-11)

This first judge, from the tribe of JudahJudah was the name of Jacob’s fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. More, exemplifies the cyclical pattern with little extra detail.

C. Ehud versus the Moabites (Judges 3:12-30)

Ehud, a Benjaminite, and left-handed, tricks and defeats the Moabite king, Eglon.

D. Shamgar versus the Philistines (Judges 3:31)

Shamgar is not assigned to a tribe, interrupts the story, fails to follow the cyclical pattern, and has a non-Semitic name. He may be included because he brings the number of judges to twelve, symbolic of the twelve tribes.

E. DeborahAn Israelite prophetess and influential judge. More and Barak against the Canaanites (Judges 4:1–5:31)

Chapter four is a narrative account of the exploits of the Naphtalites Deborah and Barak, possibly at Esdraelon, while chapter five, possibly the oldest biblical material we have, is a poetic version of the same story. Deborah is treated here as a prophet rather than a judge.

2. Second Cycle: Judges in the Time of the Midianites (Judges 6:1–10:5)

This second cycle features GideonJudge whose small force won a victory using jars, torches, and trumpets. More as judge, his battles against the Midianites, and his wicked son Abimelech’s attempt to become a king which ends with his ignoble death. 

A. Introduction to the Second Cycle: The Pattern of Apostasy Continues and a Prophet’s Warning (Judges 6:1-10)

Deuteronomistic language once again describes the pattern of God “giving Israel into the hands of their enemies” (Midianites) because they “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” As a result, Israel suffered an agricultural disaster and “cried out to the LORD” for help. God sent a prophet who reminded the people of God’s faithfulness in the past and warned them to remain faithful.

B. Gideon against the Midianites (Judges 6:1–8:35)

Gideon, from the tribe of Manasseh, is raised up to deliver Israel from the Midianites but becomes a harbinger of the decline to come.

C. Abimelech, Gideon’s Son (Judges 9:1-57)

Abimelech tries to become king of Shechem, but fails. Jotham’s fable (9:7-15) illustrates the ambiguity concerning kings in the Book of Judges.

D. Tola and Jair, Minor Judges (Judges 10:1-5)

Scant information is given about these minor judges from IssacharIssachar was name of a son of Jacob and one of the 12 tribes of Israel. More and Manasseh in Transjordan.

3. Third Cycle: Judges in the Time of the Ammonites and Philistines (Judges 10:6-16:31)

This cycle highlights two judges who mark a further decline in Israel’s governance as a unified people under God’s rule. JephthahJudge who sacrificed his daughter to keep a vow. More leads an army to fight against the Ammonites but also fights against his own fellow Israelites. SamsonA judge noted for great physical strength. More leads no one except himself in carrying out personal attacks of revenge against the Philistines.

A. Introduction to the Third Cycle (Judges 10:6-16)

The third cycle opens again with a number of Deuteronomistic phrases about Israel “doing evil in the sight of the LORD” worshipping other gods, and God “handing over” the Israelites “into the hands” of their enemies (Ammonites and Philistines—10:8). This time the Israelites repentRepentance is a central biblical teaching.  All people are sinful and God desires that all people repent of their sins.  The Hebrew word for repent means to “turn away” from sin.  The Greek word for repentance means to “change on’e mind,” more specifically, it means… More and confess their sin, but God responds instead to the cries of their suffering (10:16) as God prepares to raise up another judge or deliverer.

B. Jephthah against the Ammonites (Judges 10:17–12:7)

The tragic story of Jephthah, from Manasseh in Transjordan, culminates in his rash vowA vow is a promise or an oath. God promised to be Israel’s God, while in return the people vowed to be obedient to God’s commandments. In the book of 1 Samuel Hannah, the mother of Samuel, vowed to dedicate the life of her son… More resulting in the sacrificeSacrifice is commonly understood as the practice of offering or giving up something as a sign of worship, commitment, or obedience. In the Old Testament grain, wine, or animals are used as sacrifice. In some New Testament writings Jesus’ death on the cross as the… More of his daughter.

C. Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, Minor Judges (Judges 12:8-15)

Another brief group of minor judges from ZebulunThe name of a son of Jacob and one of the tribes of Israel. More and, in Abdon’s case, Ephraim is listed.

D. Samson against the Philistines (Judges 13:1–16:31)

Samson, from the tribe of DanA son of Jacob and tribe of Israel. More, is unlike the other judges whom God raised up to deliver the people from oppression. Samson is, rather, a “hero” (or antihero) who exercises personal vendettas against his opponents.

Epilogue (Judges 17:1–21:25)

Judges closes with two appalling incidents that illustrate the anarchy that characterized the people when “there was no king in Israel, and all the people did what was right in their own eyes” (17:6; 21:25).

A. Micah, the LeviteA Levite was a member of the tribe of Levi. This tribe had priestly and political responsibilities for the Israelites. Levites appear prominently in Old Testament accounts, and they accompany priests to question John the Baptizer’s identity early in John’s Gospel. More, and the Origin of the SanctuaryA sanctuary is the consecrated area around the altar of a church or temple. It also means a place of safety where one can flee for protection. In the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms, God is referred to as a sanctuary, a refuge from… More at Dan (Judges 17:1–18:31)

The migration of part of the tribe of Dan to the north is recounted through the story of the Danites’ theft of Micah’s idolIdolatry is the worship of something other than the true God. An idol may be a cult image, an idea, or an object made of wood or stone. Ome of the Ten Commandments specifically prohibits the worship of graven images or idols; this concern is… More to account for the establishment of the sanctuary at Dan.

B. The Levite, His Concubine’s Rape and Murder, and Civil War within Israel (Judges 19:1–21:25)

Outrage at the rape and murder of a Levite’s concubine erupts into the near elimination of the tribe of BenjaminA son of Jacob and tribe of Israel. More by the other tribes. Both of these final narratives illustrate the truth of the refrain “There was no king in Israel” (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25) and the depth of Israel’s degradation without a leader (“everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes”). As such, they prepare the way for the Books of SamuelThe judge who anointed the first two kings of Israel. More.