JUDGES OF ISRAEL

Judge and Tribe	Scripture reference	Major Events	Enemies of Israel	Period of Oppression	Period of Rest
1. Othniel (Judah) Son of Kenaz the younger brother of Caleb	Judges 1:11-15; 3:1-11; Joshua 15:16-19; 1 Chron. 4:13	Othniel was the nephew of Caleb, (Judges 3:11) the only man other than Joshua to survive from the adults of the Exodus generation who was also a chieftain of Judah. In the conquest of Canaan, Othniel was the hero of the capture of Kiriath-Sepher/Debir, (Judges 1:12-13) the son-in-law of Caleb (Joshua 15:16-19) and was the first warrior-Judge of Israel. He delivered Israel from the oppression of the Edomites.	Cushan-Rishathaim, King of Mesopotamia (Judges 3:8)	8 Years (Judges 3:8)	40 years (Judges 3:11)
2. Ehud (Benjamin) Son of Gera	Judges 3:12-30	Ehud was a left-handed Benjamite who personally killed Eglon the fat king of Moab (Judges 3:21-22) He led in the slaying of 10,000 Moabites (3:29).	Eglon king of Moab; the Ammonites; the Amalekites (Judges 3:12-13)	18 years (Judges 3:14)	80 years (Judges 3:30)
3. Shamgar (?) His name is not Hebrew. Son of Anath	Judges 3:31-5:6	He killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad (Judges 3:31). The "Song of Deborah refers to "in the days of Shamgar ben Anath" in Judges 5:6; possibly the son of a mixed marriage = Hurrian/ Israelite?	Philistines (Judges 3:31)	Not given	Not given
4. Deborah /Barak (Ephraim and Naphtali)	Judges 4:1-5:31; 1 Samuel 12:11; Hebrews 11:32	Deborah was a prophetess and a judge. She was the wife of Lapidoth (Judges 4:4; 5:7). Deborah and her general, Barak, defeated Sisera, the general of the Army of Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor at the Battle of Kishon on Mt Tabor (4:13-16). The Song of Deborah (ch 15) recounts the great victory. Barak is listed among the "Heroes of the Faith" in Hebrews 11:32	Jabin, Canaanite king of Hazor (Judges 4:2) Sisera, general and vassal of Jabin; may have been a Hittite (Judges 4:2-22; 5:26-28)	20 years (Judges 4:3)	40 years (Judges 5:31)
5. Gideon (Manasseh) Son of Joash the Abiezrite.	Judges 6:1-8:32 Hebrews 11:32	The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon at Ophrah (Judges 6:11-18). Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25-27). Seeking God's will Gideon put out a fleece twice for a sign (6:36-40) On God's command he reduced the size of his army from 32,000 to 10,000 to 300 (7:2-8), and successfully routed the Midianite army (7:16-25). He took revenge on the men of Succoth and Penuel for not giving his army bread (8:5-9, 14-17). He killed the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna in revenge for the killing of his brothers at the battle of Mt. Tabor (8:18-21). He made a gold ephod that led the people into idolatry (8:24-27).	Midianites (Judges 6:1,3,33; 7:12) Amalekites (Judges 6:3, 33; 7:12) "People of the East"[some translations say Kedemites] (Judges 6:3,33; 7:12)	7 years ( Judges 6:1)	40 years (Judges 8:28)
Abimelech (Manasseh). Son of Gideon by a concubine (He usurped power and should not be counted as Yahweh's judge)	Judges 8:33-9:57 2Samuel 11:21	Abimeleck killed all his half brothers with the exception of Jotham, the youngest (Judges 9:5). He defeated Gaal (Judges 9:26-41), captured and then razed the city of Shechem (Judges 9:42-49). He was severely injured when a Thebezen woman threw down a millstone from the besieged city wall, which struck him on the head. He then had his armorbearer kill him with a sword (Judges 9:50-54).	Civil War		Abimelech usurped power and ruled 3 years (Judges 9:22)
6. Tola (Issachar) Son of Puah	Judges 10:1,2	Tola was probably from one of the leading clans of Issachar (Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23)			He judged Israel 23 years (Judges 10:2)
7. Jair (Gilead-Manasseh)	Judges 10:3-5	Jair may have been a descendant of the same Jair who distinguished himself during the days of Moses and Joshua (see Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 13:30; 1Kings 4:13; 1Chronicles 2:21). He had 30 sons who were itinerant judges (10:4).			He judged Israel 22 years (Judges 10:3)
8. Jephthah (Gilead-Manesseh) Son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1)	Judges 10:6-12:7; Hebrews 11:32	Jephthah was the son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1); he was driven away by his half brothers (Judges11:2, 3). The Elders of Gilead brought him back and made him their chief at Mizpah (Judges 11:4-11). Jephtah refused to give up Gilead to the Ammonites (Judges 11:26). He fought the Ammonites and conquered some 20 cities (Judges 11:32,33). The swearing of a foolish vow cost him his daughter (11:31-40). He defeated the tribe of Ephraimites (12:1-16) who had been offended because they had not been asked to join in the battle against the Ammorites.	Philistines ( Judges 10:7) Ammonites (10:7) Civil war with the tribe of Ephraim (12:4)	18 years (Judges 10:8)	He judged Israel 6 years (Judges 12:7)
9. Ibzan (?Judah or Zebulun) see Joshua 19:15	Judges 12:8-10	Ibzan was a socially prominent man who had 30 sons and 30 daughters for whom he arranged marriages. Jewish tradition identifies him with Boaz of Bethlehem-Judah.			Judged Israel 7 years (Judges 12:9)
10. Elon (Zebulun)	Judges 12:11, 12	He was buried at Aijalon in Zebulun (Judges 12:12)			Judged Israel 10 years (Judges 12:12)
11. Abdon (Ephraim) Son of Hillel	Judges 12:13-15	Abdon, the son of Hillel was a man of wealth and prominence. He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons (Judges 12:14). He was a native of Pirathon and was later buried there (Judges 12:13,15)			Judged Israel 8 years (Judges 12:14)
12. Samson (Dan)? Son of Manoah	Judges 13:1-16:31; Hebrews 11:32	An angel announced Samson's birth. He was consecrated as a Nazarite from birth (Judges 13:5,7; 16:16; Numbers chapter 6). He had a fatal fondness for Philistine women. Samson was a man of immense strength: he killed a lion bear-handed (Judges 14:5,6); he killed 30 Philistines at Ashkelon (14:19), and "thousand" with a jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:14-19). Other amazing deeds included catching 300 foxes, tying them in pairs with torches and turning them loose to burn the gain fields of the Philistines (Judges 15:1-8), and carrying off the gate of Gaza (Judges 16:1-3). Samson was conquered by the Philistine girl, Delilah, who cut his hair, the source of his strength. He was blinded and imprisoned at Gaza (Judges 16:4-22). He called out to God who allowed his strength to return. He pulled down the Temple of Dagon killing himself and about 3,000 Philistines (Judges 16:23-31).	Philistines (Judges 13:1)	40 years (Judges 13:1)	?Judged Israel 20 years (Judges 15:20; 16:31)