e history of each. (9) The place of prayer and worship in
the narrative. Give instances. (10) Evidences found in the book that
God hates sin.

* * * * *

Chapter VII.

Judges and Ruth.

Judges.

The Name. The name is taken from the Judges whose deeds it records.

The Character of the Book.
The book is fragmentary and unchronological in its arrangement. The
events recorded are largely local and tribal instead of national,
but are of great value as showing the condition and character of the
people.

The Condition of the Nation. Israel was unorganized and somewhat
unsettled. They lacked moral energy and the spirit of obedience to
Jehovah and were constantly falling into idolatry and then suffering
at the hands of heathen nations. This condition is summed up in the
oft repeated words: "The children of Israel again did evil in the eyes
of the Lord" and "the Lord sold them into the hand of the oppressor."

The Contents. Judges records the conflict of the nation with the
Canaanite people and with itself; the condition of the country, people
and times and the faithfulness, righteousness and mercy of God. It
gives an account of "Seven apostasies, seven servitudes to the seven
heathen nations and seven deliverances." It furnishes an explanation
of these "ups and downs" and is not merely a record of historical
events but an interpretation of those events.

The Work of the Judges. The Judges were raised up as occasion required
and were tribesmen upon whom God laid the burden of apostate and
oppressed Israel. They exercised judicial functions and led the armies
of Israel against their enemies. They, therefore, asserted the
nation's principles and upheld the cause of Jehovah. As deliverers
they were all types of Christ.

The Key-word is Confusion and the key-verse is "every man did
that which was right in his own eyes" 17:6, which would certainly
bring about a state of confusion.

Analysis.

I. From the Conquest to the Judges, 1:1-3:6.

II. The Judges and their Work. 3:7-16 end.
1. Against Mesopotamia, 3:7-12.

2. Against Moab, 3:13-30.

3. Against Philistia, 3:31.

4. Against the Canaanites, Chs. 4-5.

5. Against the Midianites, Chs. 6-10.

6. Against the Amorites, Chs. 11-12.

7. Against the Philistines, Chs, 13-16.

III. The Idolatry of Micah, Chs. 17-18.

IV. The Crime of Gibea, Chs. 19-21.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Learn the names of the Judges in orde