Judges

The book of Judges begins in the closing days of the leader of God’s people, Joshua. After Joshua’s death, the Hebrew Nation had no strong central government. They were a confederacy of 12 independent tribes, with no unifying force but their God, operating in essence as a "theocracy".

Unfortunately, the Hebrews continually fell into disobedience and idolatry; and, as a result, they were often punished in the form of defeat and oppression.

Foremost among the book’s themes is God’s power and mercy in delivering the Israelites from the consequences of the failures they suffered because of their sinful compromises. Thoughout the period of the Judges, we see a repeated cycle of disobedience, punishment, and deliverance/restoration.

The first judge of Israel was Othniel, and the last was Samson. The Book of Judges does not specifically name its author. The traditional assumption is that the Prophet Samuel was the author of Judges. Other evidence indicates that the author of Judges lived shortly after the period of the Judges. Samuel fits this qualification. The book of Judges was likely written between 1045 and 1000 BC.