Before analyzing the text of any book of the Bible, it is well to learn the historical background.

Also, it is best to make a "skyscraper" view of its general contents. Accordingly, this introduction is divided into two parts: background and survey.

1. BACKGROUND
   1. Author.
   1. Samuel started it.
   2. The prophets Nathan and Gad contributed. (1 Chronicles 29:29)
   3. "In those days Israel had no king," repeated several times (17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25) suggests that it was finalized during either David's or Solomon's kingdom.
   4. Chapters 17-21 suggest a time after David's reign was established in the tenth century. Samuel and Saul would have known Samson. David would have heard all of the stories about Samson too.
   2. Date and Place of Writing
   1. The prophets Samuel, Nathan, Gad, and perhaps others wrote the book.
   2. The final place would have been Jerusalem after David made it Israel's capital.
   3. Addressee
   4. Author.
   1. The author directed it to Israel to teach history.
   2. HE Judges
   3. HE Judges
   5. Occasion and Purpose
   6. Form and Style
   1. FORM.

   The Judges

   2. STYLE.

   In Judges

   7. Place Among the Old Testament Books

   Twenty Judges

   1. NINE Judges
   2. NINE Judges
   3. FOUR Judges

   The Judges

2. SURVEY

   We Judges

* TestJudges

** MerrJudges

*** W. Judges

**** Ten Judges

***** F Judges

STUDY 1 QUESTIONS
STUDY 1 COMMENTS