Judges: No King in Israel

At a Glance

Judges at a Glance

Author. Not named. Jewish tradition says Samuel, which fits, but we cannot be sure. The writer looks back from the monarchy, saying that in those days there was no king in Israel, and he writes before David took Jerusalem from the Jebusites (Judges 1:21).
Date. The events cover about three centuries, from Joshua's death (about 1380 BC) to the days of Samuel and Saul (about 1050 BC). The book was probably written early in the monarchy, in the time of Saul or early David.
Written To. Israel under its first kings, to show what happens to a people who drop God's Word, and why they needed a king who fears the LORD.
Setting. Canaan after Joshua. The tribes live scattered, with no capital and no standing army, among hostile neighbors. God's house is at Shiloh (Judges 18:31).
Key Verse. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).
Key Word or Theme. The cycle. Israel sins, is oppressed, cries out, and God sends a deliverer. Then they sin again.

For Deeper Study

Be AvailableAmazon Warren W. WiersbeA practical walk through Judges, with warm application of each judge's life to the believer today.
Distressing Days of the JudgesAmazon Leon J. WoodA conservative study (1975) that treats the judges as real history and works carefully through the chronology and the cycles.
Such a Great Salvation: Expositions of the Book of JudgesAmazon Dale Ralph DavisA lively exposition by a Reformed scholar. We differ on some points of doctrine, but it is clear and faithful to the text.
Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.

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Joshua

Joshua records how the LORD kept His oath to Abraham by bringing Israel across the Jordan, giving them the land of Canaan, and calling them to serve Him alone.

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