1. Note the Definition of "Judge" - shpht - not so much legal judge as we would think of it as leader and deliverer

2. Deuteronomic Framework:

How has the Deuteronomist placed the tales of Othniel (3:7-11) and Ehud (see Judges 2:11 - 3: 30) as well as the other judges in a framework or pattern? The key elements of the repeated pattern are listed below. How does the pattern change your perception of the narratives of Othniel and Ehud? What was the attraction of the Baals and Astartes (Ashteroth, Asherahs)?

1. Israelites follow after other gods and worship them

2. Oppression by enemy(ies) as punishment

3. Cry for deliverance

4. God sends a judge-deliverer

5. Judge dies and Israelites again go after other gods and worship them

3. Tales of Various Judges

a. Ehud - 3:12-30

Why is it important that Ehud is a left-handed man? Where does Ehud find the king and why would this be a source of great amusement?

b. Deborah 4-5

Compare and contrast Judges 4 and Judges 5. Consider the literary forms , contents including characters (Deborah, Barak, Sisera, Jael, Sisera’s mother), and themes. What did you find striking or puzzling about these chapters.? In what ways are both Deborah and Jael, both mothers and deliverers? How does the text make one feel both sympathy and lack of sympathy for Sisera’s mother?

c. Gideon, Abimelech, and Jotham - Judges 6-9

Gideon in 6:1-8:28

Abimelech and Jotham in 8:29-9:56

What attitudes toward kingship and kinship are displayed in Judges 6-9? Give examples from the text to illustrate your response. Focus especially on 8:29-9:56. Note the fable of the trees that Jotham tells (9:7-21) and how Abimelech dies (9:50-57)

d. Note the story of Samson is in 13-16 - You were not assigned these chapters, but they are fun to read.

4. What do the stories in Judges 17-21 reveal about tensions between tribes? About attitudes towards women? Note the Deuteronomic refrain: "In those days there was no king in Israel,"(18:1; 19:1) and ""In those days there was no king in Israel, and all the people did what was right in their own eyes."(17:6 and 21:25). Focus on the story of the Levite and his Concubine and the reaction (Chapters 19-20). If you have time, turn to the story of how wives were obtained for the Benjaminites from Jabesh-gilead and from Shiloh - Chapter 21.