DETERMINING WHO
WAS/WASN’T A JUDGE
 

When researching data about the Judges of Israel, the seeker of information will find many variations of this select group. What determined who was a Judge? What criteria excluded Abimelek (Abimelech) from certain lists? Why do Eli and Samuel appear on some lists, but not others? There appears to be no consistent benchmark by which to include or exclude those who have been traditionally identified as Judges of Israel.
 
NIV Bible (a) footnotes indicate that when the words “leader” and/or "led" are included in a subject’s narrative, it is traditionally understood he/she served as a Judge of Israel. However, this verbiage is not present in all of the 15 Judges listed herein (ex: Abimelek, Gideon). Additionally, the narratives of the respective Judges are not consistent as to whom was called by God and who was not. Prayerfully examining the respective narratives woos us to focus more on God’s majesty during these cycles and less on when it happened.

Subsequent to the death of Joshua (1), the aptly titled book of Judges (2) identifies the following 13 leaders from the Twelve Tribes of Israel (3) as those who served during Old Testament (4) times as Judges over their people: Othniel (5) (Brother or Nephew of Caleb (6)), Ehud (7), Shamgar (8), Deborah (9), Gideon (10), Abimelek (11), Tola (12), Jair (13), Jephthah (14), Ibzan (15), Elon (16), Abdon (17), and Samson (18).

They did not serve in the same capacity as modern day judges who wear robes in courtrooms. Rather, these judges were more like military leaders. They were raised up by God during cycles of self-induced crises to lead Israel - again and again - from the grips of various oppressors following long periods of sin and disobedience (see Judges 2:6-23).

Additionally:

• 1 Samuel 8:1-4 mentions Eli (19) and Samuel (20), as well as Joel (21) and Abijah (22) (two sons of Samuel).
• 1 Chronicles 26:29 mentions "Kenaniah (23) and his sons" as "officials and judges over Israel."
• 2 Chronicles 19:11 mentions Amariah (24) and Zebadiah (25) "will be over you in any matter" concerning the LORD and the king, respectively.

As the sons of Samuel were utter failures and dishonest disasters as leaders, the elders of Israel approached Samuel. They demanded to be like other countries who were ruled by kings. Samuel attempted to discourage them but the elders persisted. Ultimately, Samuel presented their petition to God (26). He told Samuel, “Listen to them and give them a king” (1 Samuel 8).

Shortly thereafter, Samuel anointed a man named Saul (27) as the first king of the United Monarchy of Israel (28) (1 Samuel 9).

A chart of the Judges of Israel is offered herein. *- Dates are approximate.

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All Bible verse references listed herein are courtesy of Bible Gateway (b). If you're seeking additional information about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a  Christian Church here in Marion County (29). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (30) (c) is the most rewarding and everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (31), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (32), Discipleship Encounters (33) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!

Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

FOOTNOTES:

  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joshua-son-of-nun

  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/judges

  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-israel

  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament

  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/othniel

  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Caleb

  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ehud

  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/shamgar

  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/deborah

(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/gideon

(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/abimelek-judges

(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/tola

(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jair

(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jephthah

(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ibzan

(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/elon

(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/abdon

(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/samson

(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/eli

(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/samuel

(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joel-son-of-samuel

(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/abijah-son-of-samuel

(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kenaniah

(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/amariah

(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/zebadiah

(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-Bible

(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/saul-king-of-israel

(28) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/united-monarchy-kings

(29) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city

(30) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor

(31) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies

(32) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education

(33) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship

(34) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news

(35) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/biblical-peoples

(36) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-israel

(37) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-timeline

(38) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mesopotamia

(39) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/judah-2

(40) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Moabites

(41) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/benjamin-1

(42) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Canaanites

(43) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ephraim-1

(44) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Midianites

(45) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/manasseh-1

(46) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/issachar-1

(47) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/philistines-1

(48) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/Ammonites

(49) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/zebulun-1

(50) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/dan-1

(51) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/levi-1
(52) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1400-bc
(53) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1300-bc
(54) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1200-bc
(55) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1100-bc

PAGE CREDITS:
(a) The Interactive Bible, Steve Rudd, accessed September 12, 2020,
https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-date-chronology-of-judges.htm

EXTERNAL RESOURCES:

(b) Bible Gateway, New International Version, accessed September 12, 2020,  https://www.biblegateway.com/

(c) How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020,     https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html

Admin Data:
The most recent modification of this webpage and PDF
took place on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

The detailed map above is courtesy of www.biblemapper.com and is for non-commercial use only.
(direct link: https://biblemapper.com/blog/images/hi-res/JudgesOfIsrael_high.jpg)