Page 74 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

handed Ehud. With tribute, Ehud gives a messages word in the king’s belly- fat man reduced to fat and
dung (3:8-21). Othniel and Ehud follow the strong leadership of Joshua and Caleb.

Chapters 4:1-5:31 focus on Deborah and Barak. Israel again rebels against YHWH, so He sells them to
Jabin (Canaanites). Due to cruelty, Israel cries out. YHWH calls Barak through Deborah; he lacks
leadership but says, “If you go, I will go!” Deborah agrees and foretells victory by a woman. YHWH
empowers Barak to defeat army, but Sisera flees and seeks refuge from Jael. With deceit, she assures
safety, and then kills him in sleep with a spike through the temple. YHWH allows Midian to oppress
Israel; the people cry out, but a prophet rebukes disobedience. YHWH calls Gideon, assures his doubt
with signs offering, fleece, and dream, and uses his small army to glorify Himself with miraculous victory.
Gideon refuses kingship, but crafts idol, names his son Abimelech (6:1-8:32). Seeds planted result in
chaos! At Gideon’s death, Israel turned to Baal. Abimelech makes an alliance with Shechem, kills
brothers to be king. YHWH stirs hostility, Shechem destroyed; Abimelech is killed (8:33-9:57).

Jephthah (10:1-12:15) begins to rule by turns from YHWH, so YHWH gives Israel over to
Philistia/Ammon. On repentance, YHWH raises up a deliverer. Jephthah, son of a prostitute, was driven
out by his family but later asked to lead Gilead against Ammon. When diplomacy fails, Jephthah leads
eastern tribes to defeat Ammon. This victory is tainted by his tragic vow, offering his daughter as burnt
offering, as well as the civil war with Ephraim- pride.

Fatal leadership! Samson (13:1-16:31) Israel again did evil, so YHWH allows Philistia to oppress them. In
a vision to a barren woman, Samson is set apart as a Nazarite for mission. Physically strong, morally
weak, Samson is ruled by his appetites at Timnah, Gaza, Sorek Valley, often acting for personal revenge.
After great loss to Philistines, Delilah seduces Samson to reveal the source of his great strength; God’s
Spirit left him, but he was unaware. He dies avenging himself, confused over divine call!

Chapters 17-21 focus on the Spiritual condition of the Nation of Israel.

Micah and Danites (17:1-18:31) - Israel descends further into spiritual anarchy, everyone doing right in
their own eyes (17:6)! Micah’s mother blesses her thieving son, dedicates silver to YHWH to make idols.
Micah uses idols for a personal shrine, ordains son, and hires Levite as personal priest. On their way to
find new lands, ‘spies’ from Dan aided by Micah’s priest, seek a new home. In their migration, Danites
steal Micah’s idols and priest, and threaten harm to Micah.

Levite and Concubine (19:1-21:25) - Israel descends further into moral anarchy (21:25). After retrieving
his unfaithful concubine, Levite overnights in Gibeah. Nearly killed by residents, Levite gives concubine
to satisfy homosexual demands (Gen. 19)- violated all night, dead in morning. Levite calls Israel to act!
Benjamin won’t cooperate, leading to near annihilation of tribe. Since leaders had vowed not to
intermarry with Benjamin, extinction is avoided by further debauchery, stealing virgins in Shiloh. Truly,
an absurd end to an absurd period in Israel’s history!

The Book of Judges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOYy8iCfIJ4

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