Judges and Ruth

Abstract

Bringing to life the world portrayed in the stories in Judges and Ruth, this commentary offers readers an "insider" perspective on the narratives. After establishing a cultural and literary context, Victor Matthews analyzes each episode separately and as a whole. pt. 1: The book of Judges -- Literary analysis -- Cultural analysis -- Archaeological analysis -- Commentaries on Judges -- Literary studies -- Redaction studies -- Feminist studies -- Social world and archaeohistorical studies -- Social scientific studies -- Historical-critical studies -- Additional articles and monographs of interest -- Post-Joshua conquest stories -- A closer look at ancient warfare -- Judges cycle explained -- Bridging the horizons -- Succession of Judges tales begins -- A closer look at the "judge" in Judges -- Othniel -- A closer look at the "Spirit of God" in Judges -- Ehud -- Shamgar -- Deborah -- Jael and Sisera -- Overview of the Gideon/Jerubbaal narrative -- A closer look at Baal and Asherah -- A closer look at marriage customs -- Minor judges -- Jephthah -- A closer look at elders -- Minor judges reprise -- Bridging the horizons -- Thematic overview of the Samson narrative -- A closer look at the Nazirite -- A closer look at the Philistines -- Episode four : the Gazite prostitute -- Bridging the horizons -- Overview of chapters 17-21 -- Comments on chapter 17 -- A closer look at Levites in Judges -- Bridging the horizons -- pt. 2: The book of Ruth -- Reconstructing an ancient story -- Closer look at endogamy -- Literary studies -- Legal and social world studies -- Ruth gleaning in Boaz's field -- Ruth and Boaz on the threshing floor -- A closer look at Levirate obligation -- Bridging the horizons.