THE JUDGES OF ISRAEL
The practice of offering objects to the gods was common in the ancient world. Offerings were made to thank, to ask for something like plenty of rainfall or good crops, and to keep the gods from becoming angry or to make them happy. The laws God gave to Moses and the people called for a number of specific kinds of sacrifices or offerings. The objects offered for sacrifice were sometimes brought by the common people and their leaders, but only the priests could perform the sacrifices, which were to be offered to Israel's Lord (Yahweh), and to him alone. Leviticus describes five basic kinds of sacrifices offered by Israel's priests for the people.| JUDGE | YEARS OF SERVICE | CHIEF ENEMY | ACCOMPLISHMENTS | SCRIPTURE PASSAGE |
Othniel |
40 |
Northern Syria |
Helped Israel defeat King Cushan Rishathaim of Northern Syria and brought Israel forty years of peace. |
Judg 3.7-11 |
Ehud |
80 |
Moabites and Amalekites |
Killed King Eglon of Moab and defeated the Moabites, who had joined with the Amalekites to attack Israel. |
Judg 3.12-30 |
Shamgar |
10 |
Philistines |
Rescued Israel by killing 600 Philistines. |
Judg 3.31 |
Deborah & Barak |
40 |
Canaanites |
Defeated the army of Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor and his commander Sisera. |
Judg 4.1--5.31 |
Gideon |
40 |
Midianites and Amalekites |
Built an altar for worshiping the LORD and pulled down the altar where his father had worshiped the Canaanite god Baal. Defeated the Midianites who had joined with the Amalekites to steal Israel's livestock and crops. Honored the LORD by refusing to be made king. |
Judg 6.1--8.35 |
Tola |
23 |
Not stated in the Bible |
The Bibles says he rescued Israel but gives very little information about this judge |
Judg 10.1,2 |
Jair |
22 |
Not stated in the Bible |
The Bible says little about this judge's accomplishments, but it does say he had thirty sons, each one in charge of a town in Gilead |
Judg 10.3-5 |
Jephthah |
6 |
Ammonites & Ephraimites |
Defeated the Ammonites who had invaded Gilead. Battled the army of the Israelite tribe of Ephraim. |
Judg 11.1--12.7 |
Ibzan |
7 |
Not stated in the Bible |
The Bible says little about this judge's accomplishments, but it does say he had thirty daughters and thirty sons. |
Judg 12.8-10 |
Elon |
10 |
Not stated in the Bible |
The Bible gives no specific information about this judge's accomplishments. |
Judg 12.11,12 |
Abdon |
8 |
Not stated in the Bible |
The Bible says little about this judge's accomplishments, but it does say he had forty sons. and thirty grandsons. |
Judg 12.13-15 |
Samson |
20 |
Philistines |
Took revenge on the Philistine leaders and people who burned his wife and family. |
Judg 13.1--16.31 |
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