The Book of Judges is a historical narrative that recounts the tumultuous period in Israel's history between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy. It highlights the cyclical pattern of Israel's sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through various judges whom God raised up to save His people. This book serves as a crucial link between the conquest of the Promised Land and the eventual rise of kings in Israel, illustrating the need for godly leadership and the consequences of turning away from God.
Traditionally, the authorship of Judges is attributed to the prophet Samuel, although some scholars suggest that it may have been written by multiple authors over time. The book is set in the land of Canaan, primarily during the 12th to 11th centuries BCE, a time characterized by social and political instability as the Israelites struggled to fully possess the land and maintain their covenant with God.