Judges Review

The Judges of Israel
1. Othniel (Judah) Son of Kenaz the younger brother of Caleb
Judges1:11-15; 3:1-11; Joshua 15:16-19; 1Chron. 4:13
Othniel was the nephew of Caleb (Judges 3:11) and became his son-in-law after the capture of Kirjath Sepher (Judges 1:12-13)
40 years (Judges 3:11)

2. Ehud (Benjamin) Son of Gera
Judges3:12-30
Ehud was a left-handed Benjamite who personally killed Eglon the fat king of Moab (Judges 3:21-22) He led in the slaying of 10,000 Moabites (3:29).
80 years (Judges 3:30)

3. Shamgar (?) His name is not Hebrew. Son of Anath
Judges3:31-5:6
He killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad (Judges 3:31).
Not given

4. Deborah /Barak (Ephraim and Naphtali)
Judges 4:1-5:31; 1 Samuel 12:11; Hebrews 11:32
Deborah was a prophetess and a judge. She was the wife of Lapidoth (Judges 4:4; 5:7). Deborah and her general, Barak, defeated Sisera, the general of the Army of Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor at the Battle of Kishon on Mt Tabor (4:13-16).
40 years

5. Gideon (Manasseh) Son of Joash the Abiezrite.
Judges6:1-8:32 Hebrews 11:32
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon at Ophrah (Judges 6:11-18). Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25-27). Seeking God's will Gideon put out a fleece twice for a sign (6:36-40) On God's command he reduced the size of his army from 32,000 to 10,000 to 300 (7:2-8), and successfully routed the Midianite army (17:16-22).
40 years (Judges 8:28)

*Abimelech (Manasseh). Son of Gideon by a concubine (*He usurped power and should not be counted as a judge)
Judges 8:33-9:57 2Samuel 11:21
Abimeleck killed all his half brothers with the exception of Jotham, the youngest (Judges 9:5). He defeated Gaal (Judges 9:26-41), captured and then razed the city of Shechem (Judges 9:42-49). He was severely injured when a Thebezen woman threw down a millstone from the besieged city wall, which struck him on the head. He then had his armorbearer kill him with a sword (Judges 9:50-54).
ruled 3 years (Judges 9:22)

6. Tola (means worm)
Son of Puah (means blast)
Grandson of Dodo (means loving)
Judges10:1,2
Tola was in stark contrast to the former ruler of Israel – Abimelech, whose rule was not according to God’s pattern of setting up Judges.
Tola must have ruled effectively and with little incident as little is said of him.
He judged Israel 23 years (Judges 10:2)

7. Jair (Gilead-Manasseh)
Judges 10:3-5
Jair distinguished himself by delegating his authority effectively. He had 30 sons who were itinerant judges (10:4). They evidently carried out his ruling from 30 different villages without incident.
Perhaps he capitalized on the effectiveness of Tola’s rule and improved it by delegating.
He judged Israel 22 years (Judges 10:3)

8. Jephthah (Gilead-Manesseh) Son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1)
Judges 10:6-12:7; Hebrews 11:32
Jephthah was the son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1); he was driven away by his half brothers (Judges11:2, 3). The Elders of Gilead brought him back and made him their chief at Mizpah (Judges 11:4-11).