I call this book the ‘Graphic Novel’ because it’s stories are so raw & gritty!
Stands in stark contrast with the previous book / period:
Joshua – victory  success    song    progress   blessing
Judges – defeat     failure    sorrow   decline     cursing

*Anarchy – no leadership & no law (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25)
*Idolatry – compromise brought condemnation (3:6-7)

Summary of the entire book: 2:11-23
Outline is a Cycle (Judges is the book of cycles):

1-2 Deterioration
3-16 Deliverance (7 cycles)
17-21 Depravity

This book contains powerful examples:
– Gideon – if God is with you, it doesn’t matter who’s against you!
– Deborah & Barak – God will use whoever He wants to get His work done
– Jephthah – don’t make rash, quick vows to God
– Samson – everyone has an Achilles’s heel – know your weakness