Bible Commentary

The Crisis of Near Extinction Judges chapter 21 opens with Israel facing a serious problem. The tribe of Benjamin was almost completely destroyed. Only 600 men survived the devastating war described in chapter 20. These survivors hid at the rock of Rimmon. The other eleven tribes had sworn oaths that prevented them from giving their […]

Historical Context and Setting Judges chapter 20 records one of the darkest episodes in Israel’s early history. This chapter follows the horrific events of chapter 19, where a Levite’s concubine was brutally assaulted and murdered in Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. The incident sparked outrage throughout Israel and led to the

The Levite and His Concubine The narrative of Judges 19 opens with the introduction of a Levite dwelling in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim who took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. This domestic arrangement immediately establishes several concerning elements that will contribute to the tragic events that follow. The Levite’s

The Danite Search for Territory The opening of Judges 18 introduces the tribe of Dan’s search for territorial inheritance, revealing both their failure to fully possess their divinely allotted portion and their decision to seek alternative solutions through human initiative rather than divine assistance. The phrase “the tribe of the Danites was seeking for itself

The Stolen Silver and Maternal Blessing The narrative of Judges 17 opens with Micah’s confession to his mother about stealing eleven hundred pieces of silver, immediately establishing themes of moral confusion and religious corruption that will dominate the remaining chapters of Judges. The specific amount—eleven hundred pieces of silver—creates an intentional parallel to the sum

The Gaza Incident and Supernatural Escape The opening episode of Judges 16 reveals Samson’s continued moral vulnerability despite his extraordinary physical abilities. His visit to a prostitute in Gaza demonstrates the persistent character flaws that would ultimately lead to his downfall. Gaza, one of the five principal Philistine cities, represented the heart of enemy territory,

Samson’s Return and Marital Rejection The opening verses of Judges 15 reveal Samson’s attempt to reconcile with his wife after the tumultuous events of chapter 14. His return during the wheat harvest with a young goat as a gift demonstrates both cultural appropriateness and genuine desire for restoration. The timing was significant—wheat harvest was a

Samson’s Desire for a Philistine Wife Judges chapter 14 opens with Samson’s fateful journey to Timnah, where he encounters a Philistine woman who captivates his attention. This moment reveals the complex interplay between human desire and divine purpose that characterizes much of Samson’s narrative. The text states that Samson “saw a woman in Timnah of

Historical Context and Setting Judges chapter 13 introduces the final and most complex judge in the book, beginning the Samson narrative that will dominate chapters 13-16. This chapter occurs during the continuing period of Israel’s tribal confederation, approximately 1100-1000 BC, when the nation faced a new and particularly challenging oppression under the Philistines. Unlike previous

Historical Context and Setting Judges chapter 12 presents a sobering aftermath to Jephthah’s victory over the Ammonites, chronicling a devastating civil war between Jephthah’s forces and the tribe of Ephraim, followed by brief accounts of the final three minor judges: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. This chapter occurs in the continuing period of Israel’s tribal confederation,