First opening section: Judges 1:1-2:51
A. Optimistic opening assembly (1:1-2)
- conquest of Canaan begins
- obedient Israelites initiate positive communication with Yahweh
- tribes prepare to conquer, with Yahweh's blessing (because of obedience)
B. Rise and fall of Israel's dominion in the promised land (1:3-36)
- Judah: seven victories (Bezek, Jerusalem, Hebron, Debir, Arad, Hormah, and region of Philistia)
- Benjamin: failure
- Joseph: one positive victory (Beth-el) and six failures
- Zebulun: failure
- Asher: failure
- Naphtali: failure
- Dan: failure
A'. Ominous closing assembly (2:1-5)
- conquest of Canaan ends
- Yahweh initiate negative communication with disobedient Israelites
- Yahweh will no longer help tribes conquer the land (because of disobedience)
Second section: Judges 2:6-3:62
Optimistic opening remarks: Israel sets out to receive their inheritance; they serve Yahweh (2:6-9)
A. Sin of next generation (2:10-13)
- contrasted with their fathers
- served the Baals; worshipped other gods
- went after other gods
- occurred once; and they had an excuse ("they did not know")
B. Judgement: defeated by surrounding nations (2:14-15)
- Yahweh was angry with Israel
Central Section: Yahweh's gracious intervention (2:16)
A'. Sins of each successive generation (2:17-19)
- contrasted with their fathers
- served the Baals; worshipped other gods
- went after other gods
- not just once (but repeatedly); no excuse is given
B'. Judgement: defeated by surrounding nations (2:20-3:4)
- Yahweh was angry with Israel
Ominous closing remarks: Israel fails to receive their inheritance; they serve other gods (3:5-6)
1. David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi [Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, MI; 2005] p. 106
2. Ibid., p. 107
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