1. Judges Leaders of the Promised land after Joshua

2. Characteristics of this Time Period No Central Authority as the population grew Caused a spiritual decline Pattern of Lifestyles that many Israelites would fall into in Canaan was a cycle – Infidelity: – Punishment: – Repentance: – Deliverance:

3. The Judges Charismatic Leaders Ruled from about 1250 B.C. to 1020 B.C. Judges: a ruler or a military leader, as well as someone who presided over legal hearings during this period in the Promised land 4 major Judges – Deborah – Gideon – Samson – Samuel

4. Deborah Prophetess and judge – Issued rulings while standing under a palm tree Song of Triumph – Might be earliest form of Hebrew poetry – With the help of Barak, defeated the forces of Jabin and his military commander, Sisera Women of Trust – One of the earliest instances of woman fighting – Jael, a tentmaker’s wife killed Sisera

5. Gideon Man of faith Story is found in the Book of Judges Chapters 6 to 8 3 Miracles to know – Angel appeared to him – Left a fleece to be covered in dew but nothing else – The next day the opposite Defeated the Midianites – Prayed to God for Answers – Defeated with the help of the Lord. His army surrounded the Midianites and together they blew shofars.

6. Samson Man of contrasts: – Obedient-victorious/ disobedient-defeated – Physically strong/ morally weak – Fought the Philistines Loss of Strength – Born a Nazirite, Samson was never suppose to cut his hair – It gave him the strength because it followed the orders of the Lord – Temptation of Delilah Death of Samson – Found favor with the Lord for repenting and destroyed a Philistine temple

7. Samuel Dedicated his life to God Prophet, priest, and judge Last and considered to be the greatest judge God’s revelation to Samuel More detail found in Religion book