10 Interesting Facts About the Book of Judges

The Book of Judges is the seventh book in the Old Testament. It records Israel’s history after the death of Joshua and before the rise of the monarchy under Saul and David. It is a book filled with stories of deliverance, rebellion, and God’s faithfulness even when His people failed.

The author of Judges is not named in the text. Jewish tradition often attributes it to the prophet Samuel, who lived near the end of the period and could have compiled these accounts under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of the human writer, the message of Judges shows God’s guiding hand over Israel’s history.

1) Judges Covers About 300 Years of History

Judges spans roughly three centuries, beginning after Joshua’s death and ending before Samuel’s leadership. During this time, Israel cycled through sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.

Judges 2:16

2) The Judges Were Not Kings

The leaders in this book were called “judges,” but they were not courtroom officials like we think of today. They were military deliverers, spiritual guides, and protectors of Israel.

Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived…

Judges 2:18

3) The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance

A repeating pattern dominates the book: Israel sins, God allows enemies to oppress them, they cry out, and God raises a judge to rescue them. Sadly, once the judge died, the people returned to sin.

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Judges 21:25

4) Deborah Was a Female Judge

One of the most famous judges was Deborah, the only woman among them. She was a prophetess and a wise leader who encouraged Barak to fight against Sisera.

Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.

Judges 4:4

5) Gideon Defeated an Army With Only 300 Men

God called Gideon to fight the Midianites with a drastically reduced army of only 300 men. This miracle showed that victory came from God, not human strength.

The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.”

Judges 7:7

6) Samson Was the Strongest Judge

Samson is one of the best-known figures in Judges. God gave him supernatural strength to fight the Philistines, but his weakness for Delilah led to his downfall. Even in his death, God used him to defeat Israel’s enemies.

Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it.

Judges 16:30

7) The Judges Were From Different Tribes

God raised judges from different tribes of Israel. For example, Gideon was from Manasseh, Deborah was from Ephraim, and Samson was from Dan. This showed that God used various people for His purposes.

8) Jephthah Made a Rash Vow

Jephthah was a judge known for his tragic vow. He promised to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house if God gave him victory. Sadly, it was his daughter who came out to greet him.

And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me… will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

Judges 11:30-31

9) Judges Highlights the Need for a King

The book ends with the statement that “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This sets the stage for the people asking for a king in 1 Samuel. Judges reminds us of the danger of rejecting God’s authority.

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Judges 17:6

10) Judges Points to Christ as the Ultimate Deliverer

While the judges were temporary saviors, they all pointed to the need for a perfect Savior. Jesus Christ is the true Deliverer who saves us not just from enemies, but from sin and death.

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:12

Summary Table