
Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission
Chart on Judges - Charles Swindoll
RECYCLING SIN |
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Jdg 1:1-3:6 | Jdg 3:7-16:31 | Jdg 17:1-21:25 | |||
Introduction | History of the Judges | Appendix | |||
Causes of the Cycles THE REASON |
Curse of the Cycles THE RECORD |
Conditions in the Cycles THE RESULTS |
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Failure to Complete Conquest Jdg 1:1-36 God's Judgment for Failure Jdg 2:1-3:6 |
Curse of the Cycles |
Conditions in the Cycles |
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Living with Canaanites |
War with the Canaanites |
Living Like the Canaanites |
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Religious Laxity |
Political Uncertainty |
Moral Anarchy |
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About 350 Years of Israel's History - Almost 25%! From Compromise to Confusion! |
Another Timeline of Israel's History
Click to Enlarge
from Jensen's Survey of the OT

Click to Enlarge
Other ways to describe Israel's cycle…
- Rest > Rebellion > Retribution > Repentance (???) > Restoration
- Sin > Suffering/Servitude > Supplication > Salvation
- Apathy > Apostasy > Affliction > Answered Prayer
- Disobedience > Desperation > Deliverance
- Disobedience > Bondage >Misery > Liberation and Rest > Compromises
The Book of Judges |
|
JOSHUA | JUDGES |
Victory | Defeat |
Freedom | Servitude |
Faith | Unbelief |
Progress | Declension |
Spiritual vision | Earthly emphasis |
Fidelity to the Lord | Apostasy from the Lord |
Joy | Sorrow |
Strength | Weakness |
Sense of unity | Declension, anarchy |
Sin judged | Sin lightly regarded |
The Book of Judges |
|
RUTH | JUDGES |
Spiritual light |
Spiritual darkness |
Purity | Immorality |
Deciding for the One true God |
Pursuing Idols who are no gods |
Devotion | Disloyalty |
Love | Lust |
Peace | War |
Kindness | Cruelty |
Obedience brings blessing |
Disobedience brings sorrow |
Oasis of righteousness |
Desert of rebellion |
Faithfulness of a Gentile alien |
Faithlessness of the "chosen people" |
Most of these books are newer resources which previously were available only in book form or purchasing in a Bible computer program. This is potentially a very useful resource to supplement your study. In general these books do not allow you to copy and paste.
Note - NO CHARGE. But you must log in to borrow most of these books by creating a login account! Click picture of the person in right upper corner and set up your free login. Then you can read many excellent modern commentaries free of charge! After you have checked it out for an hour, in my experience you can usually check it out again which gives you sufficient time to read the section in which you are interested.
DANIEL BLOCK - Judges, Ruth. Vol. 6: New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman - 1999
Cyril Barber says this is "An exceedingly valuable exegetical and theological exposition. Based on the NIV, though Block gives evidence of working from the Hebrew text. Readers will find this a learned, discerning discussion that readily explains the meaning and message of these twin books. Recommended.
Rosscup - An evangelical contributes 586 pp. on Judges and 151 on Ruth. Introductory sections for both books survey the state of scholarly opinion and his belief in the integrity and reliability of the biblical books. Copious footnotes, often lengthy, reflect on others’ views, verifications of points in the books and also in other scripture, etc. Verse by verse work offers detail on grammar, word meaning, background, customs, and interpretive problems. Block holds that Jephthah sacrificed his daughter in death. On passages overall, this is a standout commentary, yet at times it states convictions without a specific answer to other leading views. One instance is in not commenting on the view that Ruth acted indecently with Boaz at night. Some accounts, as episodes of Samson, seem for the most part to be explained in reasonable detail. (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An annotated bibliography of selected works)
- Judges, Ruth. Vol. 6: New American Commentary - archive.org allows you to borrow this book for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
DONALD CAMPBELL - Leaders in Crisis times (Living for God in a Society that has Forgotten God!)
Former president of Dallas Theological Seminary - has wonderful insights, illustrations and practical applications. Unfortunately this book is no longer being published but you may be able to find used copies. Excellent practical commentary on Judges with good illustrations for sermons.
Review by Cyril Barber - A well-informed, judicious exposition that combines a timely handling of the text with a practical application of it. Ideal for adult discussion groups. Recommended.
- Judges Commentary - archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
ARTHUR CUNDALL - Tyndale Old Testament Commentary (Judges and Ruth) (1968)
Arthur Cundall writes the commentary on Judges and Leon Morris writes the commentary on Ruth. These both get excellent reviews - see reviews by several users.
Here is a more generic review - "The Tyndale volumes have long been the premier shorter-length commentary series on both Testaments throughout the English-speaking world." (Craig Blomberg, Denver Seminary)
- TOTC Judges & Ruth: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary - archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
PAUL ENNS - Everyman's Bible Commentary (1982) (Zondervan)
Cyril Barber - A practical, clearly outlined, conservative treatment. Ideal for laypeople.
- Judges Bible Study Commentary: Judges. archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
Evangelical Commentary on the Bible - Judges by Andrew Boling (20 pages); editor Walter Elwell (1989) 1239 pages. User reviews. (See also his 380 page commentary on Judges the Anchor Bible Series)
GARY INRIG - Judges shows us our potential for greatness...our capacity for catastrophe (2005)
This is one of my favorite practical commentaries on Judges. - see reviews by users.
Rosscup - This little book is a "sleeper" and has flown under the radar of many evangelicals. I highly recommend it to supplement your teaching and/or preaching through the Book of Judges. Notice that all the reviewers have given it the highest rating possible..
- Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay - archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
- Journey Through Judges - This is a 50 part series online (no charge) walking you through the entire book of Judges (recommended)!
KJV BIBLE COMMENTARY - JUDGES - Judges - Hindson, Edward E; Kroll, Woodrow Michael. Over 3000 pages of the entire OT/NT - no restriction on length of time one can use it. No copy and paste. Well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective. User reviews - it generally gets 4/5 stars from users.
New Bible Commentary - Barry G Webb authored Judges. (1994) See user reviews
WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY - JUDGES - Charles Pfeiffer - 1560 pages (1962). This book needs to be borrowed for an hour. Less detailed than the KJV Bible Commentary.
DONALD CAMPBELL -
- Judges Commentary - sign in, borrow and go to page 11 - Diagnosis of a National Disaster
ARTHUR CUNDALL -
- TOTC Judges & Ruth: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary - sign in, borrow and go to page 51 - The Incomplete Conquest
GARY INRIG
- Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay - sign up to borrow - The Consequences of Compromise
PAUL APPLE
BRIAN BELL Teaching Notes
DICTIONARY
WAYNE BARBER - audio but worth listening
- The Symptoms of Partial Obedience: Judges 1
- The Symptoms of Partial Obedience: Judges 1
- Consequences of A Partial Obedience: Judges 1:1-6
- The Peril of Disobedience: Judges 1:7-15, 2:1-10
ALBERT BARNES
BIBLE FOR HOME
BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR
DANIEL BLOCK - Judges, Ruth. Vol. 6: New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman - 1999
Cyril Barber says this is "An exceedingly valuable exegetical and theological exposition. Based on the NIV, though Block gives evidence of working from the Hebrew text. Readers will find this a learned, discerning discussion that readily explains the meaning and message of these twin books. Recommended.
- Judges, Ruth. Vol. 6: New American Commentary - archive.org allows you to borrow this book for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
- Note you must log in to borrow this book but login is free! Click picture of the person in right upper corner and set up your free login. Then you can read many excellent modern commentaries free of charge!
JIM BOMKAMP
GEORGE BUSH Judges Notes 1852
Spurgeon: Like other works of this author—of considerable value.
Cyril Barber - A pleasing synthesis of scholarship and devotion, historical background and relevant exposition. Bible students, whether laypeople or pastors, should eagerly acquire the writings of this fine biblical scholar and for their own edification and enrichment read what he wrote. This valuable reprint of the 1852 edition makes available the rare and rich homiletic suggestions of this Princeton scholar.
CAMBRIDGE BIBLE FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES John James Lias
CAMBRIDGE BIBLE COMMENTARY
DONALD CAMPBELL - Leaders in Crisis times (Living for God in a Society that has Forgotten God!)
Former president of Dallas Theological Seminary - has wonderful insights, illustrations and practical applications. Unfortunately this book is no longer being published but you may be able to find used copies. Excellent practical commentary on Judges with good illustrations for sermons.
Review by Cyril Barber - A well-informed, judicious exposition that combines a timely handling of the text with a practical application of it. Ideal for adult discussion groups. Recommended.
- Judges Commentary - archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
- Note you must log in to borrow books but login is free! Click picture of the person in right upper corner and set up your free login.
ALAN CARR - SERMON
RICH CATHERS
ROBERT CHISHOLM, JR - ARTICLE
ADAM CLARKE
THOMAS CONSTABLE
W A CRISWELL
ARTHUR CUNDALL - Tyndale Old Testament Commentary (Judges and Ruth) (1968)
Arthur Cundall writes the commentary on Judges and Leon Morris writes the commentary on Ruth. These both get excellent reviews - see reviews by several users.
Here is a more generic review - "The Tyndale volumes have long been the premier shorter-length commentary series on both Testaments throughout the English-speaking world." (Craig Blomberg, Denver Seminary)
- TOTC Judges & Ruth: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary - archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
- Note you must log in to borrow books but login is free! Click picture of the person in right upper corner and set up your free login.
RON DANIEL
J N DARBY
JOHN DUMMELOW Commentary
DAN DUNCAN - MP3
EASY ENGLISH COMMENTARY
PAUL ENNS - Everyman's Bible Commentary (1982) (Zondervan)
Cyril Barber - A practical, clearly outlined, conservative treatment. Ideal for laypeople.
- Judges Bible Study Commentary: Judges. archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
- Note you must log in to borrow this book but login is free! Click picture of the person in right upper corner and set up your free login. Then you can read many excellent modern commentaries free of charge!
THEODORE EPP
EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - R A WATSON
ARNO GAEBELEIN Annotated Bible on Judges
GENE GETZ PRINCIPLES FROM JUDGES
These are short videos with practical principles.
- Judges 1:1-2; Consulting God: To make right decisions, we are first and foremost to consult God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Video
- Judges 1:17-19; Partial Obedience: We should guard against our human tendency to retreat when we face difficult challenges. Video
- Judges 1:20-36; Tests of Faith: We should view various difficulties in our walk with God as opportunities to demonstrate our faithfulness. Video
JOHN GILL
DAVID GUZIK
HOMER HEATER, JR - Judges
MATTHEW HENRY
A C GAEBELEIN
GOTQUESTIONS BOOK OF JUDGES
Have also included selected articles from Fausset's Bible Dictionary which is an older but excellent resource.
- Book of Judges - Bible Survey (Fausset's article)
- Who was Adoni-Bezek? (Fausset's article)
- Judges 1-2 Why did the Israelites take the Canaanites as slaves instead of destroying them as they were instructed?
- Judges 1:13, 3:9-11 - Who was Othniel? (Fausset's article)
L M GRANT
SCOTT GRANT Sermons on Judges
DAVE HATCHER - NOTES
ROBERT HAWKER Poor Man's Commentary Judges
GARY INRIG - Judges shows us our potential for greatness...our capacity for catastrophe (2005)
This is one of my favorite practical commentaries on Judges. - see reviews by several users.
- Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay - archive.org allows you to borrow for an hour at no charge and renew. While you cannot copy and paste, this is still a useful resource.
- Journey Through Judges - This is a 50 part series online (no charge) walking you through the entire book of Judges (recommended)!
INTERNATIONAL CRITICAL COMMENTARY
JAMIESON, FAUSSET, BROWN
- Judges 1 Commentary
- Judges 1 Commentary - unabridged
JUDGES DEVOTIONALS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
Today in the Word, Back to the Bible, Our Daily Bread, et al
WILLIAM KELLY
KEIL AND DELITZSCH
JOHN KITTO
KEITH KRELL - sermons
PAUL E. KRETZMANN The Popular Commentary
Lutheran Perspective
LANGE'S COMMENTARY Paulus Cassel
DAVID LEGGE Sermons on Judges
WILLIAM MACDONALD
J VERNON MCGEE
F B MEYER
Rosscup comments: Meyer (1847–1929) published this originally in 1895. He left a big witness as a Christian, husband and expositor on the spiritual life. Here he is clear, simple, to the point, and practical in application. The book is especially suited for pastors, Sunday School teachers and laypersons. Sometimes he overdoes things, as in seeing Hittites and confederates as depicting “The evil habits of the old past” (p 12). Yet in many cases he is apt, as using Gideon to show the need to look to God for adequacy. He sees Saul as unsaved, having the Spirit on him but not in him (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An annotated bibliography of selected works)
G CAMPBELL MORGAN
ROBERT NEIGHBOUR
TOMMY NELSON - Mp3's only - click here for messages below
- Judges 1:1-7: The Faithfulness of Old to a New Generation
- Judges 1:8-18: A Tale of Four Cities
- Judges 1:18-2:20: The Art of Destroying a Civilization
JAMES NISBET Church Pulpit Commentary
MYER PEARLMAN
NET BIBLE NOTES
PHIL NEWTON - SERMON
PETER PETT Commentary on Judges
PREACHER'S HOMILETICAL COMMENTARY
PULPIT COMMENTARY
REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE
- Judges 1:1–2:5
- Judges 1:1
- Judges 1:8
- Judges 1:10–15
- Judges 1:12
- Judges 1:13
- Judges 1:19
- Judges 1:20
- Judges 1:21
- Judges 1:22
- Judges 1:27–36
- Judges 1:34
AREND REMMERS
KIM RIDDLEBARGER
RICHARD OWEN ROBERTS
HENRI ROSSI
- Judges 1:1-16 - The Condition of Israel at the Time of Joshua's Death - Henri Rossi
- Judges 1:17-36 - What Characterizes Declension - Henri Rossi
ROB SALVATO - SERMON
RAYMOND H SAXE - expository notes
JOHN SCHULTZ - former missionary to Papau, New Guinea
- Commentary on the Book of Judges - 132 pages
CHARLES SIMEON -SERMONS
- Judges 1:6, 7 Adoni-Bezek's Punishment
- Judges 1:14-15 Christ's Coming to Judgment
- Judges 1:20-21 The Christian's Duties
- Judges 1:24-25 An Ascription of Praise to Jehovah
CHUCK SMITH
SPEAKER'S BIBLE COMMENTARY
C H SPURGEON
RAY STEDMAN
JOHN STEVENSON
G W THATCHER - generally verse by verse comments
THIRD MILLENNIUM Book of Judges
- Structural Outline
- References and Related Resources
- Wavering Conquests - Judges 1:1-2:5
- Judah Israel's Leader - Judges 1:1-2
- Judah's Successes Contrasted With Benjamin's Failure - Judges 1:3-21
- Joseph at Bethel - Judges 1:22-26
- The Failures of the Remaining Tribes - Judges 1:27-36
DAVID THOMPSON JUDGES SERMONS
JOHN TRAPP Commentary on Judges
JAMES VAN DINE
DAVID WASHBURN
LUKE WISEMAN
Spurgeon comments: Mr. Wiseman in this work tells “of Gideon and Barak, of Samson and of Jephthah,” and he does it in a powerful style. He was one of the best preachers in the Wesleyan body. A man of fulness, and judiciousness; in fact, a wise man.
Cyril Barber - Men of Faith... contains a wealth of practical material; applications are offered to encourage and challenge us today. The author presents a general view of the period of the judges along with an in depth study of the lives of Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson.
STEVE ZEISLER
SERMONS BY VERSE - older works