Who were the Judges? Judges 2

• Extracts 16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which Judges delivered them out of the have good hand of those that spoiled rule them. Apostacy God raises • 18 And when the LORD raised ( depart gives a from faith them up judges, then Judge and belief) the LORD was with the judge, • 19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted Cry out to Hardship themselves more than their God from God fathers God raised these men up

• Spirit of the Lord came upon them • Judges 14 – behold, a young lion roared against him. – 6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand • Judges 3, 6, 13, 14

Samuel 16

• 3 Then took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon from that day forward. Revision

• – 1st Judge – God’s Lion – Married Caleb’s Daughter – Judges 3:7 • – Assassinates King of Moab • Judges3:15

Shamgar • After Ehud

• 30 So Moab was subdued that day under Judges 3:30-31 the hand of Israel. And the land had (KJV) rest fourscore years. • 31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

Judges 5:6(KJV) • “ Then sang and the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,” • 2 Praise ye the LORD….. • 6 In the days of Shamgar the Deborah implies in son of Anath, in the days of Shamgar’s time people Jael, the highways were travelled carefully and in fear due to oppression by unoccupied, and the travellers the Philistines. walked through byways”.

Shamgar

1. 3rd Judge

2. the son of Anath

3. he killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad

4. he saved Israel.

Son of Anath

Lineage not known

•Suggested name isn’t Hebrew

•Maybe from a mixed marriage with Caananites Killed 600 Philistines

Who were the Philistines?

6 main oppressers 1. MESOPOTAMIAN 2. MOABITE 3. CANAANITE 4. MIDIANITE 5. AMMONITE 6. PHILISTINE

•None were large, nations. •Egypt not interested in this area The Philistines

• Aggressive, • Listed in Table of nations from Noah in Genesis 10 – “ Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth:”

• “14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) “.KJV

• Philistines were known as sea people

• Island of Crete and Aegean region • Unknown why migrated

The Philistines

• Mentioned in Abraham's time – Genesis 21:32-34 “ And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.”

• Moved inland in 13th century BC from the coast of Caanan • Set up in area assigned to Judah and Dan, • Five main cities were • Ashkelon, • Gaza, • Ashdod, • Ekron, • and Gath, Each independent with a king but united in battle

The Philistines

• Weapons of iron . Suppressed Israel and didn’t allow them weapons. • When David arrives on the scene philistines finally oppressed • Three gods : Ashtoreth, Dagon, and Baal-Zebub— (Judges 16:23; 1 Samuel 5:1-7; 2 Kings 1:2). • respected the power of Israel’s ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 5:1-12). • Good drinkers Ancient Philistine ruins breweries countless beer mugs ’s wedding feast, had Philistine week-long drinking parties; • Today, the word philistine is used as an epithet to refer to an unrefined, dull person. – philistines of history were not unsophisticated or uncultured.

• Philistines were assimilated into Canaanite culture. • eventually disappeared from the biblical record and from history altogether, • Palestine is said to be a derivative of Philistine

• killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad

What is an Ox Goad?

Message for us

• Shamgar’s story shows how if you are chosen by God and His spirit comes on you, you can achieve anything.

• Even with a simple weapon or in Samson’s case no weapon.

• The important thing to remember is God is calling ordinary people to be ready to serve Him.

• Shamgar was ready