In the Time of the Judges

From the death of Joshua until Saul was made king, the government of Israel was administered by different rulers, or judges, fifteen of whom are mentioned in Scripture. Of this time Paul says that the Lord “gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.” Acts 13:20.AGP 58.1

Of the service rendered by the judges one writer says:AGP 58.2

“They were not merely deliverers of the state from a foreign yoke, but destroyers of idolatry, foes of pagan vices, promoters of the knowledge of God, of religion, and of morality; restorers of theocracy in the minds of the Hebrews, and powerful instruments of divine Providence in the promotion of the great design of preserving the Hebrew constitution, and, by that means, of rescuing the true religion from destruction.” “The Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia,” Vol. II, art., “Judges,” p. 1003.

From the death of Joshua to Samuel the prophet, Israel was many times overcome and taken into captivity by enemy nations, and subjected to hard servitude. Under the cruel oppression and suffering which they endured, they repented of their sins, turned to the Lord, and cried for deliverance. Although they had sinned against God very grievously, He had compassion on them, and raised up mighty deliverers for them. These deliverers became their judges.AGP 59.1