The book of Judges takes its name from those di­vinely appointed leaders of Israel who are so prominent in its pages. We don't know who wrote the book of Judges. Some students of Scripture agree with the Talmud that the prophet Samuel was its author.

Some of the leaders included in the book of Judges are:

• Gideon
• Deborah
• Samson
• Jephtha
• Ehud
• Jephthah

Judges records the religious and military history of God's chosen people from the death of Joshua until about the time of Samuel—a period of several centuries. Dur­ing much of this time, the religious life of Israel was at a low point. One reason for this was the negative influ­ence of the idolatrous Canaanites among whom they lived. And because of Israel's apostasy God permitted them to suffer oppression from the Canaanites and other heathen nations.

But God didn't turn His back on Israel. He sent “judges”—divinely appointed leaders—to deliver His repentant people from oppression and draw them to Himself.

Judges is a powerful commentary on God's persis­tent love and constant desire to save His people from their sins and show them the way to real peace and happiness.