Deserting the King: The Book of Judges

Transformative Word

by David Beldman

The book of Judges can pose many puzzles for readers who were the "judges"? Why was this book written, and how does it fit into the biblical narrative? And how can the story it tells--one of bloodshed, intrigue, and rejection of Yahweh's authority--change our understanding of God today?

Deserting the King guides readers through the difficulties that the book of Judges can pose for readers as it traces both the evil and redemption present in Israel's approach to kingship--and, by extension, God. And while examining the book's structure and key themes, author David Beldman draws in stories from his life and the world today, showing how this Old Testament book, in its darkness and heroism, gives us a lens to see God's at work throughout history.

Genres: Old Testament

112 pages, Paperback

Published January 25, 2017

Reviews

[Michael Hinnen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, succinct analysis and reflection on the book of Judges. Unlike most other commentators, he rightly recognizes the purpose and theme of Judges:

“If the purpose of Judges is to demonstrate Israel’s rejection of Yahweh’s royal rule, then the central theme of the book is the Canaanization of Israel.”

Judges is less about a political agenda & need for a human king and more about what happens when a nation neglects their divine king.

Must read for anyone studying or teaching on Judges!

[Neil Kruger · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

"The sad reality portrayed in Judges is that the Israelites begin to use the Canaanites' sacred order to shape their own social order."

Excellent overview of the Book of Judges. Highlighting the repeated pattern in Judges as a downward spiral is particularly helpful. Doing what is right in your own eyes expresses the rejection of the Kingship (and Lordship) of Yahweh.

Those perplexed by the Book of Judges (and how it applies to the Christian life today) will find this easily-accessible commentary illuminating.

[Andrew Alkema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of one of the more confusing books of the Bible. Brought up several points about Judges I had never considered: The lack of a chronological timeline - the fact that the last part of the book probably took place chronologically near the beginning. The fact that the patterns of the story decay as the book goes on - the last few judges don't bring peace to Israel. The idea that the fact that Israel 'had no King' in those days was really pointing to a lack of God. The takeaway for our lives is very strong as well. It's a quick read and I'd recommend it to anyone curious about the book of Judges.

[Ian Minielly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have four commentaries on Judges and this small book of 100 pages is the best of the bunch. It does not focus on a chapter by chapter dissection of Judges with scholarly input most normal people lack, like most commentaries. This book focuses on a handful of themes and then provides evidences in support of those. One thing I have struggled with and was happy to see in Deserting the King, was the acknowledgement the book is not in chronological order. Samson was probably much earlier after the death of Joshua, but one of the themes is the regular paced descent into corruption, but there are clear signs multiple judges were soon after Joshua and not in the same order as written.

I really enjoyed this commentary and will now buy others in this series to see if they are also this great.

[Ricardo Cifuentes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelentes conceptos introductorios y concisos sobre el libro de Jueces, se hace preguntas genuinas, sobre la guerra, sobre el juicio, sobre la vida de cada juez, busca respuestas reales y también teológicas, muestra de forma clara todos los desaciertos realizados por el pueblo de Dios en esta etapa, pero también muestra una reconfortante sección de hebreos y la esperanza como creyentes en nuestra vida actual.

[Jay Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relevant and Powerful

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judges is a confusing book of the Bible. This book provided some understanding and great thought provoking questions for Bible Study. I’ll have to circle back for the study

[Seth Channell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief and helpful introduction to Judges.

[Jim Kilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read on the background of the Judges!

[Jacob DeBoer]

An excellent, accessible, and brief overview of one of the wildest and most difficult books in the entire biblical canon. Given its brevity, it cannot pierce to the depths of the scholarly questions surrounding the book, but, provides a rich engagement with the purpose and theological thrust of the book as a piece of literature.