NEPAL EBENEZER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

KATHMANDU, NEPAL

“GROUP ASSIGNMENT FROM BOOK OF JUDGES”

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO

DR. WILFRED JOSEPH

IN THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF THE COURSE OF

“HISTORICAL BOOKS”

ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WE GOT AN IDEA FROM DIFFERENT SOURCE WHILE

DOING THIS GROUP ASSIGNMENT FROM SEVERAL BOOKS, COMMENTARY,
DICTIONARY AND WE FURTHER STATE THAT WE HAVE NOT COPIED IT. WE
HAVE GIVEN CITATION.

SUBMITTED BY: ALIYA GHARTI AND ASHISH LIMBU

B.TH. 2nd YEAR, 1st SEMESTER

DATE: 2023/05/09
 1. Name all the Judges and describe the characters individually in detail.

1. Othniel
Othniel is a Son of Kenza, a Gentile Kenizzite convert of the Exodus generation and younger
brother of Caleb. Othniel was a person who proved to live up to his given name. He lived during
a time when the people of Israel were turning their backs on the Lord by serving and worshiping
Baalism, after the death of Joshua. He got married Caleb’s daughter Achsah. Later he saw the
beginnings of Apostasy and the domination by Cushan-rishathaim, against them; he led a
successful revolt and becomes the first and best judge. 1 After the war, Othniel became a hero in
the eyes of the Israelites. Furthermore, he succeeded in reforming them and restoring their
fellowship with God. He was selected as Israel’s new leader. Israel was at peace during the forty
years of Othniel’s reign until his death.2
 Scriptures: Judges 1:9-21; 3:1-11
2. Ehud

Ehud, Son of Gera. God appoints him as the second judge of Israel, after Israel does evil and
ends up taken over by Eglon, the fat king of Moab. During Ehud's time, the Israelites were ruled
by their bitter enemies the Moabites. The Moabites were led by their king, Eglon, who is
described in the text as "an extremely fat man" (Judges 3:17). Eglon and the Moabites oppressed
the Israelites for 18 years by the time they finally repented of their sin and cried out to God for
help.3

In response, God raised up Ehud to deliver His people from their oppression. Ehud ultimately
accomplished this deliverance by deceiving and assassinating Eglon, the Moabite king. Ehud
began by fashioning a small, double-edged sword that he attached to his right leg, under his
clothes. This was important because the vast majority of soldiers in the ancient world kept their
weapons on their left legs, which made them easy to draw out with their right hands. Ehud was
left-handed, however, which allowed him to keep his blade a secret.4

1
J. P. U. Lilley, “OTHNIEL” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition, Edited By: J.D. Douglas (England:
Inter-Varsity Press, 1993), 863.
2
J. P. U. Lilley, “OTHNIEL” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition, Edited By: J.D. Douglas (England:
Inter-Varsity Press, 2012), 853.
3
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 132.
4
Don Fleming, Bridge Bible Commentary (Australia: McPherson’s Printing Group, 1994), 101.
Under his leadership, the Israelites were able to defeat the king-less Moabites. They killed
10,000 Moabite warriors in the process and secured freedom and peace for about 80 years-
before the cycle started all over again.5

 Scripture: Judges 3:12-30

3. Deborah
Deborah the wife of Lappidoth, a judge (Judges 4: 4). She would sit under Deborah’s palm tree
between Bethel and Ramah. The book of Judges records her as follows: “Now Deborah, a
prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm
of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to
her to have their disputes decided” (Judges 4:4-5). But Deborah’s most important role may have
been as a mother figure. The book of Judges describes her as “a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7),
and her care and concern for the people is evident throughout the book.6
The Song of Deborah (Judges chapter 15) recounts the great victory. Barak is listed among the
"Heroes of the Faith" in Heb 11:32. Deborah was not only a judge and warrior, but she was also
a prophetess of God. She spoke the words of God to her people, and they listened. She was able
to warn them of danger and encourage them in their times of need. And her words were always

right on target. In fact, when she spoke to Barak about going into battle against Sisera (Judges
5:24-27).7
 Scriptures: Judges 4:1-5:31
4. Barak
Barak meaning is lightning. He is the son of Abinoam (Judges 4: 6), was a judge from the
Kedesh in Naphtali. He was given ordered to go and battle against Sisera who was commander in
chief of the Canaanite force. He consented to act on condition that Deborah accompanied him,
for which reason he was told that not patching Sisera. The whole scenario seems like, his slow
response to God’s commandment. Barak defeated Sisera and his army. However, Sisera was not
killed by Barak but by Jael.8
5
R. K. Harrison, “EHUD” The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. 2, Edited By: Merrill
C. Tenney (USA: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), 259.
6
R. K. Harrison, “Daborah” The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol.1, Edited By: Merrill
C. Tenney (USA: Zondervan Publishing House, 1975), 507.
7
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 142.
8
F. F. Bruce, “Barak” New Bible Dictionary Third Edition, Edited By: J. D. Douglas (Britain: Inter-Varsity
Press, 2012), 122.
 5. Gideon
Gideon the son of Joash, was the man whom God chose to deliver Israel (Judges 6: 11). Gideon
was a judge and a mighty man of war in Israel. He was the youngest of a poor family from the
tribe of Manasseh. God called him to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites (Judges
6:14-16). Gideon asked for a sign to confirm that the Lord had indeed chosen him (Judges
6:17).9 Gideon, while harvesting wheat and hiding from the Midianites, He was very fearful man.
An angel spoke to him and addressed him as a mighty man of courage.  The angel told Gideon
that God is sending him to "save Israel from the hand of Midian."  Although at first Gideon
doubts his ability to do so, he is heartened that God will be with him in this mission.  The first
task he is commanded to fulfill is destroying the Altar of Baal the Israelites have constructed,
evidence of their apostasy.  And so, during the night, Gideon and ten of his men took down the
Altar of Baal making the townspeople very angry and asking for the death of the altar destroyer,
He was very jealous for God. Gideon was the weakest man from a weak family of the smallest
tribe in Israel. Yet God chose him and used him to subdue a great enemy with only 300 men. 10
 Scriptures: Judges 6:1-8:32
6. Abimelech
Abimelech, one of Gideon’s sons, served as a judge of Israel following the judgeship of Gideon.
He is first mentioned in (Judges 8: 30-31) where we read that had seventy sons of his own, for he
had many wives. Abimelech sought to rule over Shechem by eliminating all his opposition
namely, by killing all of the other sons of Gideon (Judges 9: 1-2).11
After leading Shechem for three years, a conspiracy arose against Abimelech. Civil war broke
out, leading to a battle at a town called Thebez (Judges 9: 50). Abimelech cornered the leaders of
the city in a tower and came near with the intention of burning the tower with fire.
The text then notes, “A woman dropped an upper Milestone on Abimelech’s head and cracked
his skull. Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, ‘Draw your sword and kill me, so that they

9
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 584-587.
10
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992) 501.
11
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman (Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 281.
can’t say, “A woman killed him.”’ So his servant ran him through and he died. When the
Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home” (Judges 9: 53-55).12
Abimelech offers a negative example of how a leader is to influence others. He led by force,
murdered his opposition, and led in such a manner that even his subjects sought to overtake him.
In contrast to the positive leadership of his father, Abimelech focused on his own personal gain,
hurting many in the process.13
 Judges 9
7. Jephthah
Jephthah is the son of a common heathen prostitute and the then childless Gilead, Jephthah felt
he had been illegally disinherited by the younger legitimate sons of Gilead. Jephthah was a
mighty warrior and brilliant military strategist. He attempted to negotiate with the enemy to
prevent bloodshed. Men fought for him because he must have been a natural leader. Jephthah
also called on the Lord, who endowed him with supernatural strength. Jephthah could be rash,
acting without considering the consequences. He made an unnecessary vow that affected his
daughter and family. He was the man of commitment who really fulfilled in his life (Judges 12:
1-6).14
 Scripture: Judges 10-11
8. Samson
Samson was a Danite, the son of Manoah from the city of Zorah. He just did what looked good
to him at the moment. His main concern was pleasing his flesh even if it meant breaking God’s
law. Eating the honey, marrying the foreign unbeliever, going into the harlot, and then Delilah
are all examples of Samson’s lust. In the end this lusting proved to be Samson’s downfall. His
wife was not godly and caused him continued pain and distress. His riddle was guessed and his
secret to strength was made known because of his lust and unconcern for God’s law. 15 Samson
was not a wise man. He didn’t consider carefully the result of his actions. He didn’t concern

12
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 547.
13
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 160.
14
J. Rea, “Jephthah” New Bible Dictionary Third Edition, Edited By: J. D. Douglas (Britain: Inter-Varsity
Press, 2012), 549.
15
Steven Barabas, “Samson” The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, Edited By: Merrill C. Tenney
(USA: Zondervan Publishing House, 1963), 783-784.
himself with the future, caring only for the moment. Often he didn’t look to God for help or
wisdom, relying on his own strength and will.16

There is no doubt Samson was courageous. He single-handedly fought an entire nation and freed
an entire country. Samson was not afraid to fight any amount of people because he knew the
Lord was with him. In the end he gave his life fighting God’s battle.

When Samson did mighty acts it was because the Spirit of the Lord came on Him (Judges 15:18-
19). The end of his life was also his greatest act of faith. He had been weakened and his eyes had
been gouged out. He was a prisoner and was being made a mocker of. But he turned to the Lord
one last time for help and because of his great faith accomplished a great feat (Judges 15:28).17

 Scriptures: Judges 13:1-16:31

9. Shamgar
His name is not Hebrew. He was the son of Anath. Consider Shamgar, he battled the Philistines
with an ox goad. It is very likely that he was just a poor farmer. The statement “But I’m just a
nobody…” could have been used by Shamgar, but he determined to serve God in his generation,
by which we can understand that he was very humble before God. 18Shamgar’s war instrument
was an ox goad. This was a farming tool; generally, it was about eight feet long with a sharp
metal spike at one end to prod animals to work. Shamgar used this humble agricultural
implement in battle against Philistia. At the end of time, when every account is rendered, we may
very well find that the greatest deeds were done quietly and unassumingly, far distant from the
limelight.19
Shamgar faced 600 armed pagan soldiers with a lowly farm tool. His bravery and courage are
obvious. Shamgar kept the peace and kept the faith in his time. He exerted a positive influence
on those around him.20
16
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman (Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 271.
17
Steven Barabas, “Samson” The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, Edited By: Merrill C. Tenney
(USA: Zondervan Publishing House, 1963), 784.
18
F. F. Bruce, “Shamgar” The New Bible Commentary Third Edition, Edited By: J. D. Douglas (Britain:
Inter-Varsity Press, 2012), 1085.
19
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman (Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 321.
20
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 545.
  Scripture: Judges 3:31-5:6

10. Tola

Tola was from the tribe of Issachar (Judges 10:1-2). He judged 23 years in Israel. Tola seems to
have been raised to the position of Judge by God. He did what God, asked of him to rule in
God’s wisdom and peace for the people of Israel, and so there was no need to record anything
about the events of Tola’s life.21

 Scripture: Judges 10:1, 2

11. Jair
Jair may have been a descendant of the same Jair who distinguished himself during the days of
Moses and Joshua (Num. 32:41; Dt 3:14; Josh 13:30; 1 King 4:13; 1Chr 2:21). He ruled 22 years
in Israel. In Hebrew it means enlightener or he who enlightens.22
 Scripture: Judges 10:3-5
12. Ibzan
Ibzan was a Judge who judged for 7 years. He was a socially prominent man who had 30 sons
and 30 daughters for whom he arranged marriages.
 Scripture: Judges 12:8-10
13. Elon
He was Zebulunite judge of Israel. He was buried at Aijalon in Zebulun. He judged Israel for 10
years.23
 Scripture: Judges 12:11, 12
14. Abdon
Abdon, the son of Hillel was a man of wealth and prominence who judged for 8 years. He had 40
sons and 30 grandsons. He was a native of Pirathon near Shechem and was buried there.24

21
J. P. U. Lilley, “Tola” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition, Edited By: J.D. Douglas (England: Inter-
Varsity Press, 2012), 1206.
22
W. E. Vine, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old And New Testament Words (USA: Thomas
Nelson Publishers, 1985), 332.
23
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman (Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 280.
24
W. E. Vine, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old And New Testament Words (USA: Thomas
Nelson Publishers, 1985), 389.
  Scripture: Judges 12:13-15
2. Choose one Judge who was very God fearing and brought victory against their enemies.
Write it in detail.
Gideon was the fifth judge over Israel in the book of Judges. He is introduced in chapter 6 of the
book while he was collecting wheat and hiding it from the enemy. An angel came to him and
asked him to take on the task of overthrowing the Midianites. While Gideon was threshing wheat
an angel spoke to him and addressed him as a mighty man of courage. Some people see this as
humorous because Gideon was hiding from the enemy and Gideon’s response was that he came
from a poor family and was not a hero.25 However, Gideon was acting very heroically and that
his response was a response of humility, not fear. Who else was out threshing wheat for the
nation while the enemy loomed around them? The Bible does not say who was or was not
(besides Gideon), but many people were hiding at home and possibly starving because the
Midianites besieged the land (Judges 6:1-6). Gideon was out there actively doing something for
his people.26
Gideon’s response to the angel was one of humility. The angel said that Gideon would save
Israel (Judges 6:14). Gideon had already questioned the angel harshly. He asked that if God was
for Israel, where was He now. When the angel replied that God was sending Gideon to lead
Israel into battle Gideon said that he was from a poor humble family. God responded through the
angel that Gideon would lead the country to victory. If Gideon were a coward, as many suggest,
he would have continued to argue. But Gideon knew the scriptures and understood the power of
God. Gideon knew that God could do what He said He would do. However, Gideon asked God
to prove Himself several times in the story. Right after this first conversation Gideon asked the
messenger of God to stick around and enjoy a meal with him.27
He got more than he asked for when the angel took the meal and made a sacrifice to God with it
(Judges6:18-24). He first big task God asked of Gideon was to overthrow the altar of Baal that
the people of Israel had erected. He was then to build an altar to God. Gideon knew he was going

25
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992) 501.
26
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 160.
27
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman (Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 321.
to make people mad when he did this. He took ten servants with him and they destroyed the altar
at night so that no one knew who had done it.28
The next morning it was discovered that Gideon was the one to blame for destroying their idol.
The men of Israel were upset and wanted Gideon to be delivered to them so that they could kill
him on behalf of Baal. Gideon’s father said that if Baal had been a true god then Baal could kill
Gideon himself. Needless to say, Gideon was not killed (Judges 6:25-32). Gideon called on the
men from the surrounding area to join him and build an army against the Midianites. When they
came together Gideon again asked God to confirm that he was doing the right thing in preparing
for war.29
Gideon set out a sheepskin, or a fleece, and asked God to make the fleece full of dew, but the
ground around the fleece dry. That night the fleece was saturated and the ground was dry. Then
Gideon asked for the opposite to happen the next night. The fleece would be dry and the ground
wet if God wanted Gideon to proceed to mount an attack against the enemy (Judges 6:36-40)
Maybe you have heard of “putting out a fleece” to confirm something would or would not
happen. That phrase comes from this story in the Bible.30

Gideon was convinced that God wanted him to lead this group of men who had gathered around
him. But God said that Gideon had too many men. God wanted Israel to know that it was not the
might of 32,000 men that saved Israel, but God Himself. God asked Gideon to pare down his
army.
Gideon said that the men who were afraid to go to battle were welcome to return home. It must
have been disheartening to see 22,000 men turn around and walk away. But Gideon was left with
10,000 brave men (Judges 7:2, 3).31
Even though these men were brave, they were not all wise. God asked Gideon to take them down
to the river and watch them drink. The number of those who drank while keeping guard of their
surroundings was 300 men. The other 9,700 bowed down to the water losing sight of potential
enemy attacks. God said that the 300 would become Gideon’s army to fight against the

28
Don Fleming, Bridge Bible Commentary (Australia: McPherson’s Printing Group, 1994), 213.
29
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 168.
30
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman (Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 283.
31
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman, 282.
Midianites (Judges 7:4-8). According to Judges 8:10 there were at least 135,000 enemy troops
against Gideon’s 300 soldiers.32

3. Choose one judge who failed in his calling to be a judge and who later repented. Write
in detail about his failures and success.

Samson (Judges 13: 1-16: 31)

Samson was a miracle child, born to a woman who had previously been barren. An angel told his
parents that Samson was to be a Nazirite all his life (Judges 13: 24-25). Nazirites took a vow of
holiness to abstain from wine and grapes, to not cut their hair or beard, and to avoid contact with
dead bodies. As he grew up, the Bible says the Lord blessed Samson and "the Spirit of the Lord
began to stir in him" (Judges 13:25).33

However, as he grew into manhood, Samson's lusts overpowered him. Samson’s words to his
parents are telling: “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes” (Judges 14:3). This phrase
captures more than Samson’s attraction; it reveals the condition of his heart. Several verses later,
the phrase is again repeated: “He went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in
Samson’s eyes” (Judges 14:7). After a series of foolish mistakes and bad decisions, he fell in love
with a woman named Delilah. His affair with this woman from the Valley of Sorek marked the
beginning of his downfall and eventual demise.34

At the time, Samson was judge over Israel and had been taking out great revenge on the
Philistines. Hoping to capture Simson, the Philistine leaders each offered Delilah a sum of money
to collaborate with them in a scheme to uncover the secret of Samson's great strength. Smitten
with Delilah and infatuated with his own extraordinary talents, Samson walked right into the
destructive plot.35

Using her powers of seduction and deception, Delilah persistently wore down Samson with her
repeated requests, until he finally revealed the crucial information. Having taken the Nazirite
vow at birth, Samson had been set apart to God. As part of that vow, his hair was never to be cut.
32
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 171.
33
A. E. Cundall, “Samson” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition, Edited By: J. D. Douglas (USA: Inter-
Varsity Press, 1993), 1064.
34
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 136.
35
A. E. Cundall, “Samson” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition, Edited By: J. D. Douglas (USA: Inter-
Varsity Press, 1993), 1066.
When Samson told Delilah that his strength would leave him if a razor were to be used on his
head, she cunningly crafted her plan with the Philistine rulers. While Samson slept on her lap,
Delilah called in a co-conspirator to shave off the seven braids of his hair. He became subdued
and weak, Samson was captured.36

Rather than kill Samson, the Philistines preferred to humiliate him by gouging out his eyes and
subjecting him to hard labor in a Gaza prison. As he slaved at grinding grain, his hair began to
grow back, but the careless Philistines paid no attention. In addition, in spite of his horrible
failures and sins of great consequence, Samson's heart now turned to the Lord. He was humbled.
Samson prayed to God and God answered.37

During a pagan sacrificial ritual, the Philistines had gathered in Gaza to celebrate. As was their
custom, they paraded Samson, their prized enemy prisoner, into the temple to entertain the
jeering crowds. Samson braced himself between the two central support pillars of the temple and
pushed with all his might. Down came the temple, killing Samson and everyone else in the
temple.

Through his death, Samson destroyed more of his enemies in this one sacrificial act, than he had
previously killed in all the battles of his life.38

4. What are the mistakes found in most of the Judges and write in detail and what
happened to each of them in the end.

After the death of Joshua, Israel has no permanent national leadership position, instead, as threats
arise. In the book of Judges, we find an altogether more dismal view of Israel’s leaders than in
the book of Joshua. Bit by bit, the succession of judges diminishes in quality until finally leading
Israel into utter chaos. In the book, it is written that “In those days there was no king in Israel; all
the people did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). It means the failure to obey
God’s command, through Joshua, that “the book of the law shall not depart from your mouth;
you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all

36
Don Fleming, Bridge Bible Commentary (Australia: McPherson’s Printing Group, 1994), 102.
37
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 477.
38
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 139.
that is written in it” (Joshua 1:7). The command is to do what is right in God’s eyes, not what
seems good in our own biased and self-serving vision.
1. Gideon

Gideon “beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites” (Judg. 6:11). Daniel
Block shows the rationale for his behavior.

Gideon’s name literally means “hacker” and it seems to point in a positive direction when he
hacks up his father’s idols in (Judges 6:25-7). Despite the fact that God has promised to be with
him, however, Gideon is forever seeking signs, most notably in the incident of the fleece
in (Judges 6:36-40).39

Gideon’s astonishing triumph over the Midianites (Judges 7). Despite his protestations that he
does not want to be king, he becomes a despot in all but name (Judg. 8:22-26). Even more
troubling is his subsequent fall into idolatry. The ephod he makes becomes a “snare” for his
people, and “all Israel prostituted themselves to it there” (Judg. 8:27).

Gideon’s failures are intensified in the judges who follow. Gideon’s son Abimelech unites the
people around him, but only by killing his seventy brothers standing in his way (Judges 9).
Jephthah starts as a brigand, goes on to deliver the people from the Ammonites, but destroys his
own family and future with a dreadful vow that leads to the death of his daughter (Judg. 11). The
most famous of the judges, Samson, wreaks havoc amongst the Philistines, but infamously
succumbs to the seductions of the pagan Delilah to his own ruin (Judg. 13-16).40

2. Samson

Samson's lusts overpowered him. Samson’s words to his parents are telling: “Get her for me, for
she is right in my eyes” (Judges 14:3). It reveals the condition of his heart. Several verses later,
the phrase is again repeated: “He went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in
Samson’s eyes” (Judges 14:7). After a series of foolish mistakes and bad decisions, he fell in love

39
F. F. Bruce, “Barak” New Bible Dictionary Third Edition, Edited By: J. D. Douglas (Britain: Inter-
Varsity Press, 2012), 122.
40
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 584-587.
with a woman named Delilah. His affair with this woman from the Valley of Sorek marked the
beginning of his downfall and eventual demise.41

The Philistine leaders each offered Delilah a sum of money to get Samson in trap. 42Using her
powers of seduction and deception, Delilah persistently wore down Samson with her repeated
requests, until he finally revealed the crucial information. He was Nazirite vow at birth and he
was not ought to cut his hair. While Samson slept on her lap, Delilah called in a co-conspirator to
shave off the seven braids of his hair. He became weak and Samson was captured.43

3. Abimelech

Abimelech is mentioned for the first time (Judges 8:30-31). Abimelech tried to rule over
Shechem by eliminating all opposition, namely by killing all the other sons of Gideon (Judges
9:1-2).44
After three years of ruling Shechem, a conspiracy arose against Abimelech. A civil war ensued,
leading to a battle in a city called Thebez (Judges 9:50). Abimelech pushed the leaders of the city
towards the tower and approached with the intention of burning the tower with fire. Then the text
says: “The woman threw the top pillar on Abimelech's head and broke his skull. He quickly
called to his armor-bearer: "Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said, 'The woman
killed him.'" And the servant ran over him, and he died. When the Israelites saw that Abimelech
was dead, they went home" (Judges 9:53-55).45
5. Spiritual Lesson from the life of Judges and Application.
Reflection
Each time Judges delivered Israel, it was for the reason, Israel sinned; broke the covenant
relationship with God, and brought the affliction upon themselves. They repented, cried out for
help and God delivered them.

41
Michael Wilcock, The Message of Judges (Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003), 136.
42
A. E. Cundall, “Samson” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition, Edited By: J. D. Douglas (USA: Inter-
Varsity Press, 1993), 1066.
43
Don Fleming, Bridge Bible Commentary (Australia: McPherson’s Printing Group, 1994), 102.
44
F. F. Bruce, “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised, Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M.
Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman (Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 281.
45
Herbert Wolf, “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein (USA:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 547.
Throughout the book of Judges, it is seen that how the grace of God has been seen again and
again, and the God of Israel was being graciously offered chance despite their constant
disobedience and rebellious attitude of idolatry when they throw away truth and integrity.

One of the biggest problems with Israelites was truth and Integrity as it appeared over and over
in the book of Judges. God warned them to drive out completely Canaanites and their lively
stocks but they disobeyed (Judges 2:2). Because of their constant disobedience, they failed to
keep truth and honesty.

God is jealous for his people and does not want them to worship other gods. God was faithful to
the covenant relationship, even when the people of Israel were not faithful. God is also patient
with his people. The Israelites often acted like children who make the same mistakes repeatedly,
even when they are given clear instructions on the right way to act. Yet God is also holy and just.
He does not allow sin to go unpunished.

Application

God has called me to become His children, however, sometime I do not listen to Him and run
away from His path. I do what He does not like me to do as like Israelites did against the Lord.
The same behavior, I repeat again and again. Now onward, I would not repeat my evil behavior
and I would stay close to Him. The lesson, I learned from this book is God is gracious but
sometime, because of my repeated behavior, He allows me to have hardship not because He
hates me but to teach me. I will make Him my way maker and I would follow Him all over my
life.
Bibliography

Bruce, F. F. “Barak” New Bible Dictionary Third Edition. Edited By: J. D. Douglas. Britain:
Inter-Varsity Press, 2012.

Bruce, F. F. “Judges” The New Bible Commentary Revised. Edited By: D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer,
A. M. Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman. Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973.

Bruce, F. F. “Shamgar” The New Bible Commentary Third Edition. Edited By: J. D. Douglas.
Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2012.

Cundall, A. E. “Samson” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition. Edited By: J. D. Douglas. USA:
Inter-Varsity Press, 1993.

Fleming, Don. Bridge Bible Commentary. Australia: McPherson’s Printing Group, 1994.

Harrison, R. K. “Daborah” The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol.1. Edited By:
Merrill C. Tenney. USA: Zondervan Publishing House, 1975.

Lilley, J. P. U. “OTHNIEL” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition. Edited By: J.D.
Douglas .England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1993.

Lilley, J. P. U. “Tola” New Bible Dictionary Second Edition. Edited By: J.D. Douglas. England:
Inter-Varsity Press, 2012.

Rea, J. “Jephthah” New Bible Dictionary Third Edition. Edited By: J. D. Douglas. Britain: Inter-
Varsity Press, 2012.

Vine, W. E. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old And New Testament Words. USA:
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985.

Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Judges. Great Britain: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003.

Wolf, Herbert. “JUDGES” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Edited By: Frank E. Gaebelein.
USA: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.