The Judges of Israel
Before it had kings, the people of Israel were led by judges: men and women God raised up to defend the people and guide them. Their story is in the Book of Judges and at the start of First Samuel.
The Judges of Israel, one by one
- Deborahthe prophetess under the palm tree
A prophetess and judge of Israel. She sat under a palm tree, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:4-5
- Gideonthe one with the fleece
Son of Joash, from Ophrah. He was threshing wheat in a wine press, to hide it from the Midianites, when the angel of the Lord visited him. Judges 6:11-12
- Samsonthe man of great strength
Son of Manoah, of the tribe of Dan. An angel announced his birth to his mother, who could not have children. Judges 13:2-3
- Elithe priest of Shiloh
A priest at the sanctuary of Shiloh, where the ark of God was. He judged Israel for forty years. 1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3; 1 Samuel 4:18
- Samuelthe boy who listened
Son of Hannah, who asked God for him. As a boy he served the Lord at Shiloh, with Eli the priest. 1 Samuel 1:20, 27-28; 1 Samuel 2:11