Judges
 Bible Book

Judges

Historical • Old Testament • 21 Chapters

Summary

Book of history; the seventh book of the Old Testament; the seventh book of the Bible.  

Author: Tradition considers the prophet Samuel as the author. The book itself does not name its author.  

Audience: Following the deaths of Joshua and his generation, who served the Lord, the Jewish people followed a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance in the land of Israel. The book of Judges records Israel’s history between the time of Joshua and the first kings of Israel. The book also provides important theological insights regarding the results of disobedience to the Lord, as well as repentance and God’s deliverance of His people.  

Date: Likely written between 1045 and 1000 BC.

Illustrative Verse

“But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them.”

Judges 3:9

Explanation

Judges is a dark book. Israel is undergoing political and religious turmoil, and the tribes of Israel are at war with each other. God's judgment comes in the form of foreign oppression. But as Israel repents and cries out to God, he raises up judges to save them.

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