This book makes it clear that salvation, peace, and prosperity depend on faithful obedience to God.

Judges presents the history of the 12 tribes of Israel after the death of Joshua until the time of Samuel.

During this period in Israel's history, God's chosen people repeatedly fell into sin and were unfaithful to God.

Each time they rebelled against God, He allowed them to come under the oppression of other nations. When they repented and pleaded with God to rescue them, God raised up judges as leaders to save them.

But when each judge died, the people became unfaithful again, and fell back into the sin of following other gods yet again.

The first judge was Othniel, a nephew of Caleb, who led Israel for 40 years.

After Othniel died, the Israelites became unfaithful again, so God allowed them to be enslaved by the Moabites.

When Israel cried out to God, He raised up Ehud as a new judge and he killed the Moabite leader and led Israel to victory.

After Ehud came Shamgar in chapter 3.

When Israel sinned again and was oppressed by the Canaanites, God raised up Deborah and Barak to deliver them in chapter 4.

When Israel fell back into sin again, God allowed the Midianites to enslave them.

Then God raised up Gideon to rescue them in chapters 6-8. After Gideon died, Gideon's wicked son Abimelech became judge in chapter 9. He was followed by Tola and Jair in chapter 10.

When Israel fell into idolatry yet again, God allowed them to be conquered by the Ammonites and Philistines.

When Israel again repented of their idolatry, God gave them a victory through Jephthah in chapters 11-12. After Jephthah came three minor judges: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon in chapter 12.

The last judge was Samson, whose story extends over four chapters, 13-16.

Judges concludes with an epilogue describing two events that show the immorality of the nation at that time in chapters 17-21.

The over-riding message is: Sin leads to slavery and repentance leads to redemption. When the Israelites abandoned God, He allowed them to become enslaved. When they repented, God delivered them.