Judges 1:1-3:6

Introduction to Judges

Authorship: Traditionally Samuel

A. "In those days there was no king in Israel"
17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25
B. "All the time the house of God was in Shiloh"
18:31 --> 1 Sam. 4, Ps. 78:60
C. To this day Jebusites live there
1:21 --> 2 Sam. 5:6-8

So
... Must be during reign of Saul/David
... Samuel seems like a very logical theory

Time covered
1. From the death of Joshua to the rise of Samuel (about 1400-1100 BC)
2. This is longer than US history, similar to time of kings, but fairly brushed over
-- 1 Samuel 12:9-11
-- Acts 13:20
-- Hebrews 11:32
(Ruth is in this same time period)

Outline

1:1-3:6 Summary of Period
3:7-16:31 Summary of Judges
17:1-21:25 Summary of Moral State

Cycle
1. Compromise
2. Enemies take over
3. Israel cries out
4. Judge rescues
5. Compromise

Chapter 1 discusses the victories (1:1-20) and compromises (1:21-36) of Israel's call to eradicate the Canaanites. This failure to obey carried a price (2:1-5). Furthermore, the next generation after Joshua grew up without knowing the Lord or what He had done for Israel (2:1-10). This led to further problems and a cycle (above) of revival and rebellion (2:11-3:6).

3 Reasons God let their enemies remain

1. To judge the people for their disobedience (2:3)
2. To test the people (2:22)
3. To teach the people (3:2)