Summary
Date: 6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
The book of Judges is the second of Former Prophets. Its place was determined chronologically - it covers the period after Joshua's death at the end of the book of Joshua and before the anointing of Saul as king in 1 Samuel. The book is named after its central characters, "judges". The judges are mostly shown as tribal leaders who delivered their people from oppression. Some were military leaders, some were lone warriors, and others were leaders and commanders.