Book of Judges

Historical

Samuel (traditionally)

Traditionally dated c. 1000–900 BC

The cycle of rebellion, oppression, and deliverance.

Judges records the dark centuries between the conquest and the monarchy, where Israel repeatedly falls into idolatry, faces foreign oppression, and is rescued by charismatic military leaders.

“While they were enjoying themselves, suddenly the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they said to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him!”

“And as Gideon arrived, a man was telling his friend about a dream. “Behold, I had a dream,” he said, “and I saw a loaf of barley bread come tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent so hard that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

“Now in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite who lived in the remote hill country of Ephraim took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.”

“When they chose new gods, then war came to their gates. Not a shield or spear was found among forty thousand in Israel.”

“Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him,”