The Book of Judges covers the period from the death of Joshua
to the time of Samuel.
In the later chapters we read, "In those days there was
no king in Israel." God was really the King of Israel but
often His people did not obey him or accept His rule.
Many times Israel's enemies were able to overrun parts of the
land and to oppress the people. The people then turned to God
for help. He gave them judges, or deliverers, to save them from
their foes, Samson and Gideon being two well-known ones.
Despite the greed, idolatry and cruelty manifested by the Israelites
during the period of the Judges, God's mercy and concern for
His people was always present. He sent His servants to save
His people, pointing forward to the way He would eventually
send His son Jesus to save them.
Jesus was like some of the better judges, though far better
than all of them. Not only did he give his life to save his
people, but also he will one day return to the earth to be judge,
deliverer and ruler. In that day there will be a King in Israel.