Category: Judges

This bittersweet chapter contains the account of Jephthah, the next in line to deliver Israel. “Then the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah… And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, ‘If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet…

“The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served… the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And they forsook the Lord and did not serve him. So the anger of the…

This Lengthy chapter contains the account of Abimelech, one of Gideon’s 70 sons (he had many wives, see 8:29-31). This wicked man rises up and kills all of his brothers, until only he and the youngest brother, Jotham, remain. After killing his brothers he becomes king of Israel for 3 years, and continues his reign…

“Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.’ Gideon said to them, ‘I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.’ As soon…

“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, “My own hand has saved me.” ‘ So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man…

This chapter informs us that yet again Israel performed evil in the sight of the Lord and became oppressed. It details God’s calling of Gideon, one of the most well-known judges. Details include the sign of the fleece, as well as Gideon’s destruction of some idol worship paraphernalia. “And the angel of the Lord appeared…

This unique chapter contains “the song of Deborah and Barak” which was sung upon the defeat of Israel’s oppressors. The song has great depth, though we will only look at a portion of it. “The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel. When…

This chapter contains just one of many accounts in scripture where God works in and through women. “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan… he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and…

There is a great deal happening in this chapter, three times Israel does what is evil in the sight of the Lord, and three times God raises up a judge to deliver the people when they cry out to Him. “and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done…

“Now the angel of the Lord… said, ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, “…you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.” But you have not obeyed my voice…’ And the…