OUTLINE OF JUDGES

I.                   Introduction (1:1-3:6)

A.    Israel’s failure to drive out the Canaanites (1:1-2:10)

1.       Initial victory coupled with                                obedience (1:1-2:5)

2.       Description of the end of the period of                                                (2:6-10)

B.      Introduction to the cycle of the Judges (2:11-3:6)

Summary of Cycle:

(1)    Sin (2:11-13)

(2)    Oppression (2:14-15a)

(3)    Distress (2:15b)

(4)    Deliverance through a Judge (2:16-17)

(5)    Period of rest/freedom (2:18)

II.                Body [Cycle of the Judges] (3:7-16:31)

Twelve Judges but Six Cycles:                                      Four Spirit-Filled Judges

(1)    Othniel (3:7-11)                                                     (1) 

(2)   Ehud (3:12-30)                                                       (2)       

(3)   Deborah (chs. 4-5)                                                  (3)       

(4)   Gideon (chs. 6-8)                                                    (4) 

(5)   Jephthah (10:6-12:7)

(6)   Samson (chs. 13-16)

III.             Appendix (17:1-21:25)

A.    Micah and the Danites (chs. 17-18)

B.      A Levite, his concubine, and the destruction of the tribe of Benjamin (chs. 19-21)

Illustrates events early in the time of the Judges:

(1)     Refers to Phinehas as high priest (20:28)  [grandson of Aaron]

(2)     Mentions Moses’ grandson, Jonathan (18:30)

(3)     Records conquest of Laish by Dan, which is also recorded in Joshua (19:47)

Key Refrain: