Judges

🏛️ Historical context

The tribes lived scattered and threatened by Philistines, Midianites and others. There was no central government: "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (21:25).

🔙 Background

After Joshua's death a generation arises "who did not know the Lord" (2:10) and falls into idolatry.

🧭 Structure of the book

⭐ Key events and teachings

1. 1The repeating cycle: sin, oppression, cry and deliverance (ch. 2)
2. 2Deborah and Barak defeat Sisera (ch. 4-5)
3. 3Gideon and his three hundred men (ch. 6-8)
4. 4Jephthah's vow (ch. 11)
5. 5Samson and the Philistines (ch. 13-16)

🏷️ Main themes

📖 Verses to memorize

• Judges 2:16And the Lord raised up judges, to deliver them from the hands of those that oppressed them: but they would not hearken to them,
• Judges 6:12The angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said: The Lord is with thee, O most valiant of men.
• Judges 6:14And the Lord looked upon him, and said: Go, in this thy strength, and thou shalt deliver Israel out of the hand of Madian: know that I have sent thee.
• Judges 16:28But he called upon the Lord, saying: O Lord God remember me, and restore to me now my former strength, O my God, that I may revenge myself on my enemies, and for the loss of my two eyes I may take one revenge.
• Judges 21:24The children of Israel also returned by their tribes, and families, to their dwellings. In those days there was no king in Israel: but every one did that which seemed right to himself.

💭 For reflection

• Do I recognize in my life the cycle of drifting away and returning to God?
• Why does God choose weak people, like Gideon?

It narrates the time before the kings, when Israel falls into unfaithfulness again and again and God raises up judges to save it: Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson, among others. It shows how the people go astray when they forget God.