The Judges

Othniel
1. God raised Othniel up as a deliverer and judge for the people of Israel.
2. He became a judge and went to war as the spirit of God came upon him.
3. Israel was sold into slavery under Cushan-Rishathaim King of Aram Naharaim.
4. This scripture is unclear as to how this judge led, however one could assume from the peace that Israel enjoyed, that this judge led well in order to bring that peace.
5. Israel enjoyed 40 years of peace, and assumably was when Othniel died.


Ehud
1. God permitted Eglon to have power over Israel for 18 years, thus causing the people to cry out to God who then rose up Eglon as a judge.
2. God gave courage to Ehud to approach the king and in doing so giving Ehud close proximity in order to kill the king and free the people of Israel.
3. Once again Israel sinned and God placed them in slavery, I assume to curb their wayward lives and bring them back under control.
4. Ehud led with a strong hand, confident in the mission given to him by God.
5. Israel enjoyed 80 years of peace under Ehud.

Shamgar
1. Shamgar is spoken of very little in Judges, but from what is said, one can see that he was a man of victory during war. He struck down 600 Philistines with something called an oxgoad. Scripture mentions that he too saved Israel.


Deborah
1. Again God gave the Israelites over into the hands of a ruler in order to subdue and oppress the Israelites for their sin. Deborah was already leading Israel at the time that they cried out, and they went to her for all their disputes.
2. God’s spirit gave courage, wisdom, strength and guidance to Deborah to go with Barak as support.
3. Again I believe it was to bring the Israelites back to order and stop sinning.
4. Deborah led with wisdom and courage, instructing the people and Barak what to do and where to go.
5. Israel had peace for 40 years.


Gideon
1. God approached Gideon as he worked and spoke with him, telling Gideon what he was to do.
2. God not only led Gideon during his time as judge, he made sure that Gideon stayed humble. One specific instance is when God thinned out Gideon’s army to only 300 men. This shows us that it was because of God and not Gideon that they were victorious. I would hope that Gideon noticed this as well.
3. Israel needed to be able to trust their judge, and by leading them into freedom and peace, it (trust) was given freely.
4. Gideon led many missions, and each time it was with God’s hand. Gideon sought the wisdom of God and led with confidence that God was with him.
5. When Gideon died Israel was at peace and had been for 40 years, but shortly after his death, the reverted back to their old ways and began sinning again.


Tola & Jair
1. Both of these judges are spoken of very little in scripture, and we only know that Tola rose to save Israel, he lived in the hill country and that he led Israel for 23 years. Tola led for 22 years and controlled 30 towns with 30 sons who each rode on donkeys (which is a sign of humility).


Jephthah
1. I would imagine that God led the leaders of Gilead over to Tob to talk to Jephthah to convince him to become their leader. I certainly don’t know that for sure, but the scripture isn’t very clear on how God elevated this person other than through the asking from the leaders of Gilead.
2. The spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah and caused him in courage to cross the land in pursuit of victory over the Ammonites.
3. Sin blinds and in order to open the eyes, God allowed oppression again, however this time he wasn’t going to free them, but then they rid themselves of all gods and served the Lord. I still believe that God is using the leadership of these judges in war against their oppressors to try to get Israel to submit and worship the one true God.
4. Jephthah led with strength as he was a mighty warrior.
5. Jephthah led for 6 years and at the time of his death, Israel’s had was strong.


Ibzan, Elon, Abdon
1. Again these judges are not spoken of very much other than to say how long they ruled and how many children they had.
Ibzan: He had 30 sons and 30 daughters; he led for seven years and then died.
Elon: Led for 10 years and then died
Abdon: He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons and they rode on 70 donkeys. He led Israel for eight years.


Samson
1. God caused a barren woman to conceive and Samson was set apart for the work of God from birth.
2. The Spirit of the Lord would come upon Samson the Nazirite, and give him strength that went beyond super human. By keeping a simple command from the Lord not to cut his hair, Samson was able to keep his strength to use for the Lord.
3. They were sinning again and under the oppression of the Philistines.
4. Samson led Israel with strength he received from the Lord keeping the Israelites safe and from harm. He also led with vengeance in a way, specifically when it came to vengeance on the Philistines.
5. He led Israel for 20 years in safety through his strength. As to the condition of Israel, scripture does not mention it, but because of Samson’s leadership and strength, I would assume they were at peace following his death and the killing of the Philistines.


Each of these judges were selected by God because of one reason or another, some ordinary men or women who were natural leaders, and some who were not very confident in themselves or their leadership abilities, however they were willing to be used of God for specific purposes, and that makes all the difference in the world. Some like Samson and Jephthah were strong and great worriers, others were smart and fought with their brains, and others were full of faith in a great God.