The Rise Of The Judges

[11] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: [12] And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. [13] And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. [14] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. [15] Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. [16] Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. [17] And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. [18] And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. [19] And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. [20] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; [21] I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: [22] That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. [23] Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.

Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

• Captive

Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.

And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

• Prayer

Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.

And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

• Idolatry
• Sarcasm

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

{A Psalm of Asaph.} God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

• Samson
• Adultery

Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.

• Forty
• Righteous

So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,

Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:

And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: