The judges of Israel in order

The judges in the order of the text

1. Othniel

   Caleb's younger brother. The Spirit of the LORD came on him and he defeated the king of Mesopotamia; the land had rest forty years.

   And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.

   Judges 3:9

2. Ehud

   A left-handed Benjamite who killed Eglon king of Moab with a two-edged dagger. The land had rest fourscore (80) years.

   But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

   Judges 3:15

3. Shamgar

   Given one verse: he killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad and also delivered Israel.

   And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

   Judges 3:31

4. Deborah (with Barak)

   A prophetess who judged Israel under her palm tree. She called Barak to fight Sisera's army, and the land had rest forty years.

   And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

   Judges 4:4

5. Gideon

   Called by the angel of the LORD while threshing wheat in hiding. With three hundred men he defeated Midian, and the country was quiet forty years.

   And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

   Judges 6:12

6. Tola

   A man of Issachar who rose up to defend Israel after Abimelech. He judged Israel twenty-three years.

   And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

   Judges 10:2

7. Jair

   A Gileadite who judged twenty-two years. He had thirty sons who rode on thirty ass colts.

   And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.

   Judges 10:3

8. Jephthah

   A Gileadite, son of a harlot, who defeated Ammon after making a rash vow. He judged Israel six years.

   And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

   Judges 12:7

9. Ibzan

   From Bethlehem. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters and judged Israel seven years.

   And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.

   Judges 12:9

10. Elon

    A Zebulonite who judged Israel ten years and was buried in Aijalon.

    And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.

    Judges 12:11

11. Abdon

    Son of Hillel, a Pirathonite. He had forty sons and thirty nephews and judged Israel eight years.

    And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

    Judges 12:14

12. Samson

    A Nazarite from birth whose strength fought the Philistines. He judged Israel twenty years and died pulling down the house on the Philistines.

    And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

    Judges 15:20

13. Eli (1 Samuel)

    The priest at Shiloh who raised Samuel. When he heard the ark was taken he fell backward and died; he had judged Israel forty years.

    And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

    1 Samuel 4:18

14. Samuel (1 Samuel)

    Usually counted as the last judge, and also a prophet. He judged Israel all his life, riding a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpeh.

    And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

    1 Samuel 7:15

How many judges were there?

Most lists count twelve judges in the book of Judges. Counts differ slightly: some add Barak beside Deborah, some add Eli and Samuel from 1 Samuel, and Abimelech, Gideon's son, is usually left out. Abimelech made himself ruler and the text says he "reigned three years over Israel" (Judges 9:22), but the text never says the LORD raised him up to deliver Israel.

From judges to kings

The book of Judges ends with a sad line: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

When Samuel grew old, his sons took bribes, and the elders asked him to "make us a king to judge us like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). That request led to Saul, the first king.

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

Judges 2:16 · KJV