"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
Judges 21:25 · King James Bible
The cycle of the judges
The book of Judges follows a repeated pattern: Israel does evil → God gives them into the hand of an enemy → they cry out → God raises up a judge → the land has rest → the judge dies → they do evil again. Twelve of these deliverers are named. They are not kings. They are ordinary Israelites — including one woman and one Nazirite — whom God raised up for one hour.The twelve, in order
1. Othniel (Judges 3:7–11) — Caleb's younger brother. Delivered Israel from Cushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia. 40 years of rest.2. Ehud (Judges 3:12–30) — Left-handed. Killed Eglon king of Moab with a hidden dagger. 80 years of rest.
3. Shamgar (Judges 3:31) — One verse. Killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.
4. Deborah (Judges 4–5) — Prophetess. Sat under a palm tree. Sent Barak to defeat Sisera at the river Kishon. Sang the Song of Deborah. 40 years of rest.
5. Gideon (Judges 6–8) — Threshed wheat in a winepress. Reduced army to 300. Trumpets, pitchers, torches. Defeated Midian. 40 years of rest.
6. Tola (Judges 10:1–2) — Judged Israel 23 years.
7. Jair (Judges 10:3–5) — Had thirty sons that rode thirty ass colts. Judged 22 years.
8. Jephthah (Judges 11 – 12:7) — Son of a harlot; driven out; became a mighty warrior. Made a rash vow before defeating the Ammonites. His daughter met him coming home. Judged 6 years.
9. Ibzan (Judges 12:8–10) — Of Bethlehem. Thirty sons, thirty daughters. Judged 7 years.
10. Elon (Judges 12:11–12) — Judged Israel 10 years.
11. Abdon (Judges 12:13–15) — Forty sons, thirty nephews. Judged 8 years.
12. Samson (Judges 13–16) — Nazirite from the womb. Riddles, lions, jawbone, hair, Delilah, temple pillars. Judged 20 years.