The Judges – Now living in Canaan, Israel was commanded to serve God and be a blessed people. They conquered the city of Jerusalem, which became a dwelling place for the people of God. But soon after their faithful leader, Joshua, died, Israel was continually seduced to work evil by the surrounding nations. Israel was taken into captivity by their enemies over and over again. Through many years, God raised up Judges in Israel that would be saviors, delivering Israel from their enemies.
Every time a Judge was in rule, Israel was faithful. But after each Judge died, Israel became wicked and fell into the captivity of their enemies. This was a continual cycle of disobedience and death. It was always followed by great sorrow and a need for repentance. This is a clear example of how God was always willing to forgive His people of their sins, while helping them overcome.
There were twelve Judges in Israel that ruled for the space of about four hundred and fifty years before the birth of Samuel the prophet. And even with these judges leading Israel, they still would not be faithful to God on a consistent basis. Judges 2:16-19; Acts 13:20.
The Judges
- Othniel (40 years)
- Ehud (80 years)
- Shamgar also delivered Israel
- Deborah (40 years)
- Gideon (40 years)
- Tola (23 years)
- Jair (22 years)
- Jephthah (6 years)
- Isban (7 years)
- Elon (10 years)
- Abdon (8 years)
- Samson (40 years)
The prophet Samuel – As the time of the Judges neared its end, God gave Hannah a son named Samuel. Because of this blessing, she gave Samuel back to the Lord to be raised in the temple of God. Samuel would be a great prophet of God that would establish truth back to the house of Israel. It is said that none of his prophecies ever failed.
Samuel would be led by God to oversee the beginning of one of the most vile and destructive times in the history of Israel. He was very faithful to God and when he spoke to kings, it came directly from God himself. With that said, Samuel had his hands full working with such rebellious people in Israel.
