The book of Judges appears to have been written by Samuel during the time of King Saul, by the fact
that the text frequently says, "at that time there was no king in Israel".
A "judge" in Hebrew was one that God has raised up to lead His people during the period of time
between the conquest of Canaan and the Kings that ruled over Israel.
The Hebrew title "Shoftim" or "Shophetim: means judges, rulers, deliverers or saviors
The Greek title "Kritai" means "Judges"
The Latin title "Liber Judicum" means "The book of" Judges"
Some also call it the book of failures. Although the Law had been given by Moses, the people had
fallen away from it's statutes. As the author of the book recorded;
Judges 21:25
25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
The book of Judges covers an approximate time of 400 years, ranging from the death of
Joshua to the selection of Saul as king of Israel. Samson was the last judge of Israel listed in
Judges, but Samuel was the thirteenth and last judge of the nation, followed by the reigns of
the kings.
Each judge was a savior, a ruler, a spiritual and political deliverer, but only Samuel was also a
prophet. They were forerunners and examples of Jesus Christ as Savior, Ruler, Judge, Deliverer,
Prophet and High Priest of His people.
The book of Judges was written on a thematic (theme) order instead of in chronological order, chapters 17-21 actually precede chapters 3-16. The theme being a repeating 5 point cycle of ......
1. Sin 2. Servitude 3. Supplication 4. Salvation 5. Silence
There were 12 judges mentioned in the book of Judges...........3:7-11 Othniel
3:12-30 Ehud
3:31 Shamgar
4:1 - 5:31Deborah and Barak
6:1 - 9:57 Gideon and Abimelech
10:1-2 Tola
10:3-5 Jair
10:6 - 12:7 Jephthah
12:8-10 Ibzan
12:11-12 Elon
12:13-15 Abdon
13:1 - 16:31 Samson