DAUGHTER OF MOAB

FROM BAD TO WORSE  Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.  And the name of the man was Elimelech, and

RECONCILIATION

AFTERSHOCKS  So Israel completed the destruction of the army of Benjamin.  They made another punishment that would affect Benjamin for years to come. Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.  And the people came to the house of God,

PUNISHMENT

WAR CLOUDS  War is coming to avenge the death of a concubine at the hands of the men of Benjamin.  Israel’s other tribes are expressing their outrage at this rape and murder. And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any

CRIME

CONCUBINE:  women of lower legal and social status than wives, who were, however, fully recognized mates. They were brought into a man’s home in part to produce heirs, and their children were fully legitimate. This tradition was common in Islam and in the Far East.  It is still practiced in some areas today.  It was

THE LANDS OF DAN

LITTLE FLAWS  In the time of the judges people were pretty much living by “if it feels good, do it”.  Does that sound familiar, baby-boomers?  It sounds a bit like life in the 1960s in America.  It produced some strange stories and behaviors.  Samson seemed to run wild, and others were wandering away from the

THE STRONG AND THE REPENTANT

PROBLEMS WITH PHILISTINES   Philistines (Palestinians) are in Gaza to this day.  They were trouble for Samson too.  But then going in to a harlot is trouble for anyone.  He was disappointed with his first experience with a Philistine woman, and seems to be determined to find one even in the wrong places.  Then went Samson

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS

  REBEL WITH A CAUSE  Guys may want to be a “big man” on campus.  What is that good for?  I remember a “big man” in grade school sitting on my chest, attempting to pound some sense into me.  I guess that didn’t really work.  But strength is an asset for some men, and Samson

A NEW JUDGE

FROM SUFFERING TO STRENGTH  Has Jephthah found any peace after his sacrifice?  Giving Israel victory after being rejected by his own brothers, he also had to give his daughter to the Lord.  Now he is again rejected by a fellow tribe of Israel.  And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and

THE WILLING SACRIFICE

CONVENIENT COMPROMISE The leadership of the judges continues and Israel goes about their business.  There seems to be a time of peace in this progression. And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.  And

THE FIRE OF WRATH

A BROTHER’S WARNING  Israel needs a judge, but one grandson of Gideon seeks to be a king instead.  He plots a bloody path to power.  What will power bring to a violent man? And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family