Judges 1 - Introduction

THE BOOK of JUDGES.

THIS Book is called Shophtim, שׁפטים Suffetes, which word signifies an avenger, a deliverer. See Prideaux's Connect. vol. 1: p. 92. The book is generally divided into two parts; the first, comprising the history of the judges, from Othniel to Samson; the second, containing a narrative of several illustrious exploits, which happened in or about the time of the judges. It is not agreed who was the author of this book: the most probable opinion, and that which has the majority of critics on its side, is, that it was written by Samuel; but, for more on this subject, we refer to Bishop Patrick and Calmet.

CHAP. I.

The tribe of Judah, having conquered Adoni-bezek, take Jerusalem, and Hebron, which is given to Caleb. Othniel takes the city of Kirjath-sepher. The other tribes spare the Canaanites, to their own disadvantage.