Judges 9
Here we are told of the Abimelech and his 'reign as king' over the people of Shechem and portions of Israel. He had all his half brothers (the sons of Gideon) executed and was crowned king 1-6. Jothan escapes and pronounces a curse on him and the people by way of a parable 7-21. All of this is done in defiance and rebellion against the Lord during a time when everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Notice that the Lord does not over look these matters nor turn a 'blind eye' to what is happening. The God takes initiative and is active in bringing justice and His judgment to bear. (Note: I wonder if there is any significance to the fact the God (Elohim - the general name for God) is used in this account rather than The LORD (Jehovah - the Covenant name for God and His people) ? God stirs up the people by sending an evil spirit between Abimelech and the people of Shechem 23. (Which indicates He sovereign rule in the affairs of men). Gaal stirs up rebellion against Abimelech and ends up fighting him and his men 26-41. The people of Shechem are attacked by Abimelech and he kills many including 1,000 who die in a tower which he sets on fire. 32-49. Note: The people follow the lead of Abimelech blindly with out questioning the 'rightness' of his actions 48b-49. Abimelech finding 'success' tries this again, although this time he gets his crushed as a woman drops a millstone on him from the tower 52-54. He tells his armor-bearer to kill him (to lessen his disgrace ?). When Israel is told he is dead they go home 55. God is the One who repays the wickedness done and Jothan curse comes to pass 56-57. Note: This serves to show that there are serious and painful consequences to rejecting the Lord and doing things one's own way. Also I see that God justice is carried out in the affairs of men, even when He is not acknowledged or recognized. No one can live in total defiance to the Lord and 'get away with it' (even if they appear to succeed for a time and season (see v 22-24).

Judges 10
Tola is judge for 23 years. Nothing is said about him other than he lived, judged, died, and was buried in Shamir 1-2. The Lord keeps records of our lives in detail though all we might know of a person is very little. Jair was other judge who led Israel for 22 years. He had 30 sons who controlled 30 towns in Gilead. (talk about 'family control'). Apparently they had  godly influence on the towns because verse 6 follows with the words that Israel 'again did evil in the eyes of the Lord'. They served 5 'gods' of the nations in their midst; thus the Lord refused to hear their cries and sold them into the hands of their enemies to be oppressed 7-14. Israel confesses and repents of their sin 15-16a. The Lord could 'bear Israel's misery no longer' and raises up a judge to deliver them (chapter 11). Note: The downward spiral of Israel's sin continues. How often sin 'grows and multiplies' till we are in bondage and unable to do anything but cry out to the Lord from mercy and deliverance. The Lord, in His grace, does hear our cries and grants us forgiveness (through Jesus Christ). There are times though that the consequences are not removed and we still suffer the pain that sin incurs.

Judges 11
Jephthah is introduced to us here. He is an outcast by his family 1-3. The elders of Gilead ask for his help; to which he agrees if they will make him their head 4-11. They make this agreement before the Lord 11. Jephthah sends a message to the king of the Ammonites who wants 'his land back' 12-13. Jephthah recounts the history of how Israel acquired the land by the hand of the Lord 14-27. Three hundred years have passed  and nothing was done 26. The Lord is 'The Judge' in this dispute 27. The Spirit of the Lord comes on Jephthah and the Lord grants him victory 29-32. He makes a vow to the Lord to offer as a burnt offering that which comes out of his door upon return. (It is hard to know why he would make what appears a foolish and rash vow). His only child, a daughter is the first to meet him 32-34. Jephthah says he can not break his vow 35. His daughter agrees the terms of the vow, but asks for two months to mourn, which is granted 36-38. Verse 39 says Jephthah did as he vowed. Does that mean he put her to death ? A custom was started to commemorate his daughter that was four days in length 39b-40. Note: Warren Wiersbe suggests that Jephthah's daughter actually became one who serves the tabernacle and would not marry, nor have children. Thus the mourning for two months and the comment that she was a virgin 39. There would be no one to carry on the family name. Also, why would they commemorate such a horrific outcome if she was put to death 40. The Bible no where records that she was a human sacrifice. From this account we can see the importance of our words, especially when spoken before the Lord as a vow (promise). He holds us to our words (Matthew 12:36-37)

Judges 12
Ephraim is offended that they were not part of the battle. Jephthah reminds them of their failure come come when called and the reality that the Lord gave the victory. 1-4. There is fighting among them and 44,000 Ephaimites were killed 5-6. Jephthah led Israel six years 7. After him came Ibzan with 30 sons and 30 daughters (he must have had several wives or concubines to have this many children) 8-10. Then came Elon 11-12, and Abdon 13-15. About 31 years are covered in this short portion. Note: This is certainly a dark time in Israel's history when the tribes are fighting among themselves and so many died in a conflict motivated by pride and hurt feelings. It is good for us to examine those things that we fight over and ask 'is this truly a godly cause and reason for conflict or is it my pride that has been hurt ?'

Judges 13
Enter Samson. In this chapter we have the background to Samson's birth. The Angel of the Lord 16, 22-22 gives instructions concerning the son Manoah and his wife were to have 3-5,11-14. He was to be 'set apart' to the Lord as a Nazirite from his birth 5. He would begin the deliverance for Israel 5. The Angel of the Lord (named 'Wonderful') ascends in the flame of the offering 17-20. Manoah and his wife fall face down in awe and fear. They have seen God (in the person of the Angel of the Lord 21-22). They would not die for having seen Him 23. Samson is born, the Spirit of the Lord stirs him 24-25. Much time passes in these verses. Note: Samson is a puzzling person, for he was set apart by God from birth and yet his life was far from being a godly example (keep reading the following chapters).

Judges 14
Samson demands a wife from the Philistines over his parents objections 1-3. This was from the Lord 4. I do not understand the man Samson, nor the Lord's working in his life. The Spirit of God comes on him in power and he kills a lion and then eats honey from bees that made a nest in its carcass 5-9. This violated his Nazirite separation from something dead. He did not tell his parents 6b,9. Was he hiding something ? He also gives a riddle to collect gain for himself (like terms of a bet) 12-14. His new 'nagging' wife gives the answer to men and Samson strikes down 30 men and takes their things and pays his debt 15-20. This he again is enabled to do by the power of the Holy Spirit. Note: Can Samson be a picture or type of the NT believer who indeed has the Spirit of God present in their life, yet still acts out of carnality and 'wins the battle but losses the victory' ? He wife of one plus week is given to a friend at the wedding 20. Samson appears to be a person who lacks self control and is very easily swayed, angered, and driven to quick actions.

Judges 15
Upon return to his wife Samson discovers she has been given to another 1-2. He catches 300 foxes (quite an accomplishment) and ties their tails together (one to one) then puts touches in them and lets them go into the fields. 3-5. The crops of the Philistines are burned up. They come after him in Judah 6-11. 3,000 men of Judah come to get him. Notice their response 'the Philistines rule over us' 11. They have so rebelled against the Lord that His word has come to pass (ie. their enemies will rule over them). The Israelites appear to be 'comfortable' or 'resigned' to be subject to them. Did they not want to be free ? Note: We can likewise be in danger of being so comfortable with our sin and the burdens they bring that we accept the 'status quo' as normal, and do not seek the freedom God offers us through Jesus Christ. Samson is bound and handed over to the Philistines, but he breaks free by the Spirit of the Lord coming on him in power 14. He strikes down 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey 15-16. His outburst to the Lord when thirsty again shows his 'meet my need now', lack of self control, character. The Lord, in His grace, provides him water. Samson led Israel for twenty years 'in the days of the Philistines' 20. How would you like a 'Samson' as your leader ? Yet he was 'God's man' for this time. I am stuck by the phrase 'in the days of the Philistines'. The Lord allows and ordains evil, wicked, nations to rule and prevail for a time and season. Yet He is the one who will 'judge' and 'deliver' His people who are oppressed by the enemy. The Lord will judge all nations for their deeds and call them into account for how they responded or rejected the light of the Gospel (Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 24-31). It is my opinion that the church today is a lot like Samson, having the Spirit of God, winning small battles, yet lacking self control and a real commitment to holiness (which would separate and distinguish us from the culture in which we live - 'the days of the Philistines').