“Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process they accidentally strike a pregnant woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman’s husband demands and the judges approve.

So Moses ordered Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death the men under your authority who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

So I took the wise and respected men you had selected from your tribes and appointed them to serve as judges and officials over you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten.

“At that time I instructed the judges, ‘You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions

Justice for the People

“Appoint judges and officials for yourselves from each of your tribes in all the towns the Lord your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly.

then both the accuser and accused must appear before the Lord by coming to the priests and judges in office at that time.

The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite,

In such a case, your elders and judges must measure the distance from the site of the crime to the nearby towns.

“Suppose two people take a dispute to court, and the judges declare that one is right and the other is wrong.

Then all the Israelites—foreigners and native-born alike—along with the elders, officers, and judges, were divided into two groups. One group stood in front of Mount Gerizim, the other in front of Mount Ebal. Each group faced the other, and between them stood the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant. This was all done according to the commands that Moses, the servant of the Lord, had previously given for blessing the people of Israel.

called together all the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel. He said to them, “I am now a very old man.

The Lord’s Covenant Renewed

Then Joshua summoned all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, including their elders, leaders, judges, and officers. So they came and presented themselves to God.

The Lord Rescues His People

Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers.

Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands.

Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him.

Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the Lord judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one.”

Israel Requests a King

As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel.

starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. “‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings!

Solomon Judges Wisely

Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled.

There had not been a Passover celebration like that since the time when the judges ruled in Israel, nor throughout all the years of the kings of Israel and Judah.

starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will defeat all your enemies. “‘Furthermore, I declare that the Lord will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings!

Then David said, “From all the Levites, 24,000 will supervise the work at the Temple of the Lord. Another 6,000 will serve as officials and judges.

From the clan of Izhar came Kenaniah. He and his sons were given administrative responsibilities over Israel as officials and judges.

Solomon called together all the leaders of Israel—the generals and captains of the army, the judges, and all the political and clan leaders.

Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges

When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home in Jerusalem,