A simplified version of the timeline of the judges especially suited to smaller screens.
The Era of the Judges
A chronological history of Israel’s deliverers, civil leaders, and key foreign oppressors (c. 1400 BC – 1050 BC).
Joshua
Appointed by Moses; led Israel across the Jordan, oversaw the conquest of Canaanite cities, and allocated tribal territories prior to the Judges era.
Cushan-Rishathaim (Aram-Naharaim)
King of Aram-Naharaim (Mesopotamia) who subjugated Israel due to their idolatry, marking the first major period of foreign oppression recorded in Judges 3.
Othniel
Caleb’s nephew/younger brother; delivered Israel from Cushan-Rishathaim (King of Aram) and brought the land 40 years of rest.
King Eglon (Moab, Ammon & Amalek)
Formed an alliance with the Ammonites and Amalekites to capture Jericho (“City of Palms”) and subjugate southern and eastern Israel until assassinated by Ehud.
Ehud
Left-handed Benjamite judge who assassinated King Eglon of Moab with a hidden double-edged dagger, securing 80 years of peace.
Philistine Coastal Raiders
Early Aegean/Mediterranean sea-faring incursions targeting agricultural regions in southwestern Israel, broken by Shamgar’s defense.
Shamgar
Son of Anath; single-handedly struck down 600 Philistine warriors with an oxgoad to deliver Israel during border raids.
King Jabin & Sisera (Northern Canaan)
Canaanite king ruling from Hazor whose general, Sisera, terrorized northern Israel with an advanced iron-chariot force of 900 vehicles.
Deborah (& Barak)
Prophetess who held court under the Palm of Deborah. Summoned general Barak to defeat Sisera and King Jabin’s Canaanite chariot army.
Zebah & Zalmunna / Oreb & Zeeb (Midian)
Midianite kings and princes who led massive seasonal camel raids into Israel, destroying crops and livestock like a swarm of locusts.
Gideon (Jerubbaal)
Tear down Baal’s altar; divinely reduced his army to 300 men armed with horns and clay jars to route the Midianite hordes.
Abimelech
Rogue son of Gideon who murdered 70 of his half-brothers at Ophrah to declare himself King at Shechem; killed by a millstone dropped by a woman at Thebez.
Tola
Son of Puah from the tribe of Issachar; lived at Shamir in Mount Ephraim and judged Israel for 23 steady years following Abimelech’s collapse.
Jair
A Gileadite who led Israel for 22 years; his 30 sons rode 30 donkeys and controlled 30 towns in Gilead known as Havvoth-jair.
Kings of Ammon
Oppressed Gilead and crossed the Jordan to attack Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, claiming historical ownership over Israelite territories east of the Jordan.
Jephthah
Exiled Gileadite warrior recalled to defeat Ammonite invaders; remembered for making a rash vow prior to victory.
Ibzan
Hailed from Bethlehem; judged Israel for 7 years and expanded regional alliance networks through the marriages of his 30 sons and 30 daughters.
Elon
A Zebulunite leader who served as civil judge over northern Israel for a decade, buried at Aijalon.
Abdon
Son of Hillel the Pirathonite; led Israel for 8 years; known for wealthy family standing with 40 sons and 30 grandsons riding 70 donkeys.
Philistine Pentapolis (Lords of Gaza, Ashdod, etc.)
Five allied Philistine city-states (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) leveraged superior iron technology and professional armies to dominate western Israel.
Samson
Danite Nazirite blessed with superhuman strength; single-handedly harassed Philistine oppressors before pulling down Dagon’s temple in Gaza in his death.
Eli
High Priest at the Tabernacle in Shiloh who judged Israel for 40 years; died upon hearing the Ark was captured and his corrupt sons killed at Aphek.
King Nahash of Ammon
Ammonite monarch who besieged Jabesh-Gilead, threatening to gouge out the right eye of every resident, sparking the crisis that led Israel to demand a King.
Samuel
Dedicated at birth to Shiloh Tabernacle; prophet, priest, and final judge who rallied Israel at Mizpah and anointed Saul and David as Israel’s first kings.