Judges covers the period extending from Joshua leading the Israelites into the promised land to Saul, their first king.
Othniel, first judge to lead Israelite forces against their enemies, brought an end to the Moabite invasion and oppression.
Of Shamgar (a minor judge), we learn only that he repulsed the Philistines.
Deborah and Barak led the tribes in the battle against Sisera on the plain of Esdraelon.
Gideon repulsed the Midianite invasion. This was the first use of camels against Israel.
Abimelech tried to be a king for three years. He was overthrown by an internal rebellion. This was the real beginning of the Yahweh-Baal conflict.
Jephthah repelled the Ammonite oppression.
The tall tales of Samson have to do with the ever-recurrent exploits of the Philistines.
The Song of Deborah illustrates the dynamic zeal of the Yahwist of these times.
The ethics and morals of these days were not high. Men were clever and treacherous and murdered on the slightest provocation. Samson visited a harlot.
Whatever other attributes Yahweh may have, he is still a jealous God.
The philosophy of Judges is still the old Jewish concept: obey God and prosper, disobey and suffer.
(The morals of the time can be judged by the story of the concubine’s dying of mistreatment and then being cut up and the parts sent abroad in the land as a call to avenge the outrage.)
Death of Joshua. “And Joshua…died at the age of one hundred and ten years.” 2:8.
Victory of Deborah and Barak. “And the Lord routed Sisera…and an his army…and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled…And an the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.” 4:15,16.
Victory of Gideon. “And the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars, holding in their left hands the torches…and they cried, ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’” 7:20.
Jephthah’s vow. “Jephthah made a vow to the Lord…‘If thou wilt give the Ammonites into my hand, then whoever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me…shan be the Lord’s, and I will offer him up for a burnt offering.’” 11:30,31.
“Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him.” 11:34.
Samson’s defeat. “She made him sleep upon her knees; and she called a man, and had him shave off the seven locks of his head…and his strength left him.” 16:19.
“Then he bowed with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people that were in it.” 16:30.