Judges: Summary & Overview
Overview
Judges covers a dark and cyclical period in Israel's history: the people sin, God allows oppression, they cry out, God raises a judge to deliver them, and then they sin again. From Deborah to Gideon to Samson, these flawed heroes reveal both human weakness and God's relentless mercy. The recurring refrain — 'everyone did what was right in his own eyes' — shows what happens without godly leadership.
Key Themes
- •The cycle of sin and deliverance
- •Consequences of disobedience
- •God's mercy despite rebellion
- •Need for godly leadership
- •Human weakness and divine strength
Famous Verses
“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
— Judges 21:25
“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”
— Judges 6:12
“I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.”
— Judges 5:3
“Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.”
— Judges 2:16
“And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?”
— Judges 6:14
Key Facts
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Historical Narrative
- Author
- Traditionally Samuel
- Date Written
- ~1050–1000 BC
- Chapters
- 21
Related Books
Read Judges in Context
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