Through this lesson the student will learn how to interpret the stories of the Judges within their social and literary context. This lesson is a continuation of Lesson 17.

Bible: Judges 6-21

Bellis, Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes, pp. 123-35

Lecture: Judges II

Interpret the story of either Gideon, Abimelech, or Jephthah.

All three of these stories focus on the role of the judge as a precursor of the Israelite king. Your essay should consider how the judge serves as a positive or negative model for a king.

What is the role of the "spirit of the LORD" in the stories of Gideon, Abimelech, Jephthah, and Samson?

How do Gideon and Jephthah function as models of kings? How is Abimelech a negative model?

Other questions for discussion are raised in the lecture.

See the bibliography of the previous lesson.