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Before giving an analysis of the book as a whole and pointing out its moral, let us set
out the names of these judges, together with any features suggestive of their typical
teaching.
(1)
OTHNIEL.--Enemy, Mesopotamia. Rest 40 years (3: 9-11).
(2)
EHUD.--Left-hand. Dagger. Enemy, Moab. Rest 80 years (3: 15-30).
(3)
SHAMGAR.--Ox-goad. Enemy, Philistines (3: 31).
(4)
DEBORAH.--Tent peg. Enemy, Canaan. Rest 40 years (4:-5:).
(5)
GIDEON.--Lamps and Pitchers. Enemy, Midian. Rest 40 years (6:-8:).
ABIMELECH.--"Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou and reign
over us" (9: 14).
(6)
TOLA.--He judged Israel twenty-three years (10: 1, 2).
(7)
JAIR.--He judge Israel twenty-two years (10: 3-5).
(8)
JEPHTHAH.--The rash vow. Enemy, Ammon (11: - 12: 7).
(9)
IBZAN.--He judged Israel seven years (12: 8).
(10)
ELON.--He judged Israel ten years (12: 11).
(11)
ABDON.--He judged Israel eight years (12: 13, 14).
(12)
SAMSON.--Jawbone of ass. Enemy, Philistines (13:-16:).
Abimelech is not given a number, as he was self-chosen, and therefore not appointed
by God.
Preparatory to a closer study, let us now take a survey of the book, noticing its broad
outlines. In the opening chapter we find a recognition of the Lord.
"The children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the
Canaanites first, to fight against them?" (Judges 1: 1).
Judah is chosen and, for a time, there is progressive victory. As we proceed, however,
we find marks of failure.
(1)
"He could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of
iron" (1: 19).
(2)
"The Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem" (1: 21).
(3)
"The Canaanites would dwell in that land" (1: 27).
(4)
"They put the Canaanites to tribute and did not utterly drive them out" (1: 28).
(5)
"The Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites" (1: 32).
(6)
"The Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not
suffer them to come down to the valley: but the Amorites would dwell in mount
Heres in Ajalon and in Shaalbim" (1: 34, 35).
Here is a solemn progression in failure. The chariots of iron, though formidable, had
been spoken of by Joshua, who had said "For thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though
they have iron chariots, and though they be strong" (Josh. 17: 18). Thus it is clear that
all that Israel lacked was faith in the Word of the Lord. Instead of maintaining their
separate position, Israel began to allow the Canaanites to dwell with them, and put them
under tribute. But in course of time the process becomes reversed, and we find the
Asherites dwelling among the Canaanites, words eloquent in typical teaching. Finally,
the Amorites assume the role of conquerors. They are the ones that use force, and the