Chronology of the Judges

Judge Chronology

Let’s first begin by trying to ascertain of we have any internal (Tanakh) or external (archaeological) time markers or anchors that aid us in a reconstruction of the Judges. Here is the datat we have to work with:

Extant:

The Merneptah Stele: Mentions Israel as an existing people group in Canaan. This artifact is dated to 1208 BC. This, at a minimum, gives us a hard terminus ante quem date of 1208.

Internal

Judges 21:25 — “In those days there was no king in Israel” 1 Samuel chronology follows Samuel, then (king) Saul, then (king David)

It is widely accepted that Saul begins reign ~ 1050 BC, and David ~ 1010 BC

The Judges period must end before ~1050 BC, This gives us another terminus ad quem date.

Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years (Judg 3:8)

The land had rest forty years (Judg 3:11) (under Othniel)

The sons of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years (Judg 3:14)

The land was undisturbed for eighty years (Judg 3:30) (after Ehud)

Sisera oppressed the sons of Israel severely for twenty years (Judg 4:3)

The land was undisturbed for forty years (Judg 5:31–6:1) (after Deborah and Barak)

The LORD gave them into the hands of Midian seven years (Judg 5:31–6:1)

The land was undisturbed for forty years in the days of Gideon (Judg 8:28)

Individual Judges’ Terms:

Abimelech ruled over Israel three years (Judg 9:22)

Tola judged Israel twenty-three years (Judg 10:2–3)

Jair the Gileadite judged Israel twenty-two years (Judg 10:2–3)

The Ammonites afflicted the sons of Israel for eighteen years (Judg 10:8)

Jephthah judged Israel six years (Judg 12:7)

Ibzan judged Israel seven years (Judg 12:9)

Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel ten years (Judg 12:11)

Abdon judged Israel eight years (Judg 12:14)

The LORD gave them into the hands of the Philistines forty years (Judg 13:1)

Samson judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines (Judg 15:20)

Samson had judged Israel twenty years (Judg 16:31)

Related Figures:

Eli judged Israel forty years (1 Sam 4:18)