The book of Judges features a host of characters, listing 12 titular judges, corresponding to the 12 tribes of Israel. The book covers a broad stretch of time (early 14th century BC to late 11th century BC), making it important to examine the structure of the book itself, rather than the characters. "Judges" is divisible into three large sections with some slight overlap: the introduction, the judges, and an appendix of stories describing the state of the nation.
Introduction
First comes the death of Joshua. Although the people of Israel were loyal to God during Joshua’s lifetime, challenges follow when Joshua dies, as God does not choose a successor. Individuals, families, and tribes of Israel are responsible for abiding by God’s laws themselves without the direction of an overall leader. Over time and for many, the Torah is forgotten. Generations after Joshua's death forget how the Lord rescued Israel from the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12) and made them his special nation in the wilderness. They forget Moses’ call to choose God’s blessings, and his warnings about the destruction that awaits if the nation is disloyal to Him.
Also contributing to the apostasy of the Israelites is the influence of the land’s original inhabitants. Not all the Canaanites were displaced by Joshua’s conquest of the land, and many kept their cities, their cultures and religious practices. When the people of Israel mingled with the Canaanites (especially intermarrying), their loyalties become divided between the God of Israel and the gods of the Canaanites. Whenever Israel worshiped other gods, the Lord revoked his protection, resulting in foreign people invading and oppressing Israel. Each time the people of Israel would cry out to God for help He would send a deliverer (called a judge) to rally the people, overthrow the invaders, and give the nation peace. The cycle of apostasy, oppression and return to faith was repeated many times.
Judges
This section of the book tells the stories of 12 judges that God raises up to deliver Israel. The judges are divided into a group of seven "former judges" and a group of five "latter judges."
The former judges section begins with Othniel, a member from the prominent family of Caleb. The Spirit of God comes on Othniel, and he restores peace. Ehud and Deborah both deliver Israel from the cycle thereafter. This section climaxes with the story of Gideon, a judge who leads a militia to score miraculous victories over Israel’s enemies. Although the people of Israel try to make Gideon king, he refuses. After he dies, his son attempt to claim the throne throws Israel back into chaos.
The latter judges begin with Jephthah, whose efforts end in tragedy. Minor judges Izban, Elon, and Abdon get brief mentions, but the section ends with Samson, a miracle child heralded by divine announcement. Samson grows up to become a one-man army against Israel’s enemies and is able to accomplish feats of supernatural strength. The final major judge in each section wins miraculous victories, but while the people of Israel propose making Gideon king, they actually hand Samson over to their enemies.
The Nation
The third section of Judges opens with another story about Samson, showing the decline in Israel’s leadership as well as how the nation itself has descended into chaos. Samson is taken prisoner by Israel’s enemies. A family of Israelites sets up their own invented god, with their own invented priesthood and an entire tribe of Israelites abandons their territory and raids another town—becoming the oppressors themselves. The book's author reiterates that this chaos and destruction is to be expected when there is no king for Israel.
The time of judges was a dark era in Israel’s history, showing how persistently Israel forgot the Lord, and how faithful God was to discipline and deliver His people. (Judges 2:14-16)