Version: King James Version (public domain)
Judges
The leaders before the kings
Judges covers the period between Joshua and the monarchy, with cycles of unfaithfulness, oppression and deliverance by leaders such as Deborah, Gideon and Samson.
Historical context
The book repeats the refrain “in those days there was no king in Israel”, preparing for the story of the monarchy.
Explanation
Best-known passages
- Deborah and Barak (ch. 4–5)
- Gideon and the fleece (ch. 6–7)
- Samson and Delilah (ch. 13–16)