Challenging verse-by-verse teaching of scripture from www.versebyverseministry.org A verse-by-verse teaching through Judges Stephen Armstrong Though few Christians study the book of Judges end to end, most recognize the book's iconic characters, including Samson, Gideon, and Deborah. Judges bridges the 300-year period between Moses and Joshua and the kings of Israel, when every tribe of Israel acted as a nation unto itself. This is a book filled with heroes, villains, love, war, miracles and God's grace. No wonder the book of Judges is a favorite source for classic Sunday school stories. https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges en-us no (c)2016 Verse By Verse Ministry International Verse By Verse Ministry International letters@versebyverseministry.org Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:06:50 -0600 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:06:50 -0600 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss letters@versebyverseministry.org https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-1a 1614 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 1A - Introduction Background teaching from Joshua and elsewhere to set the stage for the period of judges ruling over Israel. Mon, 08 Jun 2015 20:05:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-1b 1620 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 1B - The Seeds of Apostasy Israel begins to take the land from the Canaanites, led by Judah, but the people of Israel failed to obey God's instructions. Sun, 14 Jun 2015 22:43:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-2 1623 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 2 - The Lord's Judgment for Apostasy The Lord examines the hearts of Israel and finds them lacking faithfulness to His covenant. Mon, 22 Jun 2015 22:48:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-3a 1626 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 3A - The Lord's Test Israel's apostasy leads the Lord to impose a test upon the nation. Mon, 29 Jun 2015 09:35:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-3b 1633 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 3B - The Second Judge The pattern of Israel's sin continues, so a second judge is raised up to defeat Israel's enemy. Tue, 14 Jul 2015 13:57:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-4a 1637 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 4A - Introducing Deborah The third cycle of sin leads to Deborah, the first woman judge. Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:42:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-4b 1643 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 4B - Weak Men, Strong Women Barak defeats the Canaanite King, but it requires a woman to finish the job. Mon, 27 Jul 2015 22:34:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-5a 1648 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 5A - Praise the Lord Part I of the song of Deborah praises the Lord for the victory that Israel won. Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:25:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-5b 1652 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 5B - Answering the Call of God Parts II and III of the Song of Deborah explains how some in Israel answered the call to fight while others did not, and in the end a woman won the battle. Sun, 09 Aug 2015 19:03:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-6a 1657 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 6A - Introducing Gideon The fourth cycle of apostasy in Israel begins, and the judge God calls to respond is meek, weak Gideon. Sun, 23 Aug 2015 20:50:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-6b 1667 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 6B - Tests of Immaturity Gideon's dependence on tests are a crutch for weak faith. Mon, 31 Aug 2015 21:28:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-7a 1672 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 7A - Gideon's Fear After Gideon tests the Lord, the Lord devises a test for Gideon to expose his fearful attitude. Sun, 13 Sep 2015 22:20:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-7b 1677 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 7B - God's Sovereignty Gideon is moved to worship and obedience by a dramatic display of God's power and sovereignty. Sun, 20 Sep 2015 15:49:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-8 1680 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 8A - Gideon's Pride After winning a stunning victory by God's hand, Gideon begins to act with arrogance. Sun, 27 Sep 2015 18:48:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-8b 1690 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 8B - Gideon's Folly The final act in Gideon's time looks more like a king than a judge. Mon, 05 Oct 2015 18:28:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-9a 1697 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 9A - The Rise of the Bramble A son of one of Gideon's slave wives takes authority for himself as the supposed king of Israel. Mon, 19 Oct 2015 19:26:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-9b 1702 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 9B - The Fall of Abimelech The Lord visits the sin of Abimelech upon his head through a series of circumstances. Sun, 01 Nov 2015 21:19:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-10 1713 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 10 - Canaanization The people of Israel begin their fifth cycle of sin and idolatry, because the people are falling into Canaanization. Sun, 08 Nov 2015 19:36:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-11 1717 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 11A - The Good, the Bad and Jephthah The Lord delivers a new judge, but he's a hero with a dark past and a tendency to speak first and think later. Sun, 15 Nov 2015 21:14:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-11b 1723 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 11B - A Rash Vow Japhthah makes a rash vow based on pagan thinking and ignorance of God's word. Mon, 07 Dec 2015 19:56:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-12 1725 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 12 - Civil War Japhthah's reign as judge ends with civil war among the tribes and a disturbing divergence in language. Sun, 13 Dec 2015 22:31:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-13a 1732 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 13A - A New Cycle The cycle of Judges begins again, but this time the cycle is different, requiring that the Lord raise up a different kind of Judge. Sun, 20 Dec 2015 20:41:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-13b 1733 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 13B - A Child Is Born The Lord announces the coming birth of Samson leading to parallels between Jesus' birth and Samson's birth. Sat, 26 Dec 2015 10:58:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-14a 1735 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 14A - The Girls and the Bees Samson's special beginning gives way to an impulsive life rather than a life of serving the Lord as intended. Sun, 27 Dec 2015 20:28:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-14b 1738 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 14B - Samson's Folly Samson loses his impulsive bet after his future wife betrays him. Sun, 03 Jan 2016 18:45:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-15 1742 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 15 - Samson's Revenge After leaving his bride at the altar, Samson returns to find the covenant broken. Mon, 11 Jan 2016 09:32:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-16a 1749 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 16A - Samson's Downfall Samson plays with his enemies and assumes he will prevail because of his physical strength. Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:22:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-16b 1770 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 16B - Pride Goes Before the Fall Finally Samson gives away the secret to his power, or so he thinks. Mon, 08 Feb 2016 20:49:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-16c 1772 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 16C - Samson Brings the House Down Despite living a life for himself, in the end Samson serves the Lord and his mission with a step of faith. Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:43:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-17 1779 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 17 - Jewish Sketches - The introduction of Idolatry In the first of three sketches of Jewish life, we learn how idolatry entered into Jewish society. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 21:59:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-18a 1782 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 18A - The Rebellion of the Danites The Danites seek for better land in Canaan. Sun, 06 Mar 2016 21:53:00 -0600 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-18b 1811 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 18B - False Worship Begins in Israel The sin of Micah and the Danites combine to introduce idolatry. Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:26:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-19a 1821 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 19A - Depravity and Indulgence The second incident Samuel records in his epilogue explains the deterioration of Israel's culture. Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:31:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-19b 1831 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 19B - Relative Morality Samuel's account of the depravity of Jewish culture reaches its zenith. Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:45:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-20a 1849 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 20A - The Immoral Response The people of Israel are of one mind in demanding a response to the Benajamites' sin, but they are working in sin themselves. Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:09:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-20b 1880 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 20B - God is Not a Genie The tribes are working with God as if He is their personal genie, but the Lord gets their attention by bringing them to defeat in battle. Mon, 09 May 2016 09:47:00 -0500 https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/judges-lesson-21 1883 Stephen Armstrong https://media.versebyverseministry.org/uploads/bible_studies/58/cover_image/original-751ab27d89da95d549098a1e6b095f56.jpg https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/judges Judges Lesson 21 - A Sinful Solution After nearly annihilating their brothers, the tribes of Israel devise sinful solutions to solve the problem. Mon, 16 May 2016 10:39:00 -0500