Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

We read of Samson's next attempt to escape his destiny and go back to his Phillistine wife.  When that is unsuccessful, the angry young man takes out his anger on the Phillistines and he becomes a fugitive.  When his people hand him over to the Phillistines to escape punishment, he uses a strange weapon to rescue himself.  Despite his best efforts to avoid his destiny, God makes sure he fulfills it.

In the first of Samson's expolits, we read of his falling in love with a Phillistine woman.  On his way to his engagement he encounters a lion which he kills with his bare hands.  Eventually he tests his new wife's loyalty with a riddle with which he challenges his new Phillistine "friends".  He quickly finds out that his Phillistine wife is more loyal to her people than to her new husband.

We read of the unusual circumstances surrounding the birth of Samson, the final Judge we will read about in the Book of Judges.

Yiftach's reign descends into civil war and chaos. We read of three more obscure judges, and the quality of leadership of Israel continues it's decline.

In one of the most painful and tragic chapters in the entire Tanach, we read of Yiftach's vow, his victory in battle, and his fulfillment of this terrible deed.

We are introduced to Israel's next judge, an outcast and child of a prostitute.  When Israel needs a fighter to lead them. they turn to the leader of a band of thieves, Yiftach.  We read of Yiftach's failed attempt at a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

After Avimelech is gone, the people are led by two judges about whom there isn't much to be said.  Without guidance they find themselves falling back into their old patterns of idol worship, and under the oppression of a new set of tormentors.

The reign of Avimelech turns into chaos as he takes revenge against his own people.  His life is finally ended by a heroic woman with a millstone. Violence begets violence is the lesson we must learn. 

Avimelech becomes appointed as King after a violent and murderous rampage.  The sole remaining survivor of Gideon's family, his youngest son Yotam teaches a lesson that the people would do well to heed.  To seek leadership from a "King" who gives nothing but violence, is like trying to seek shade underneath a thornbush.  All you will get is pain.

We conclude the saga of Gideon with his sad failure and his golden Ephod.