This bible commentary traces the reception of "Judges" through the ages, not only by scholars and theologians, but also by preachers, teachers, politicians, poets, essayists and artists. A bible commentary focusing on "The Book of Judges", best known for the tale of Samson and Delilah, but full of many other rich and colorful stories. This book: treats the text story by story, making it accessible to non-specialists; considers the stories of women in "Judges", including Deborah, Jael, who slew Sisera, and Jephthah's daughter, sacrificed by her father; traces the reception of "Judges" through the ages, not only by scholars and theologians, but also by preachers, teachers, politicians, poets, essayists and artists; illustrates how ideology and the social location of readers have shaped the way the book has been read; discloses a long history of debate over the roles of women and the use of force, as well as Christian prejudice against Jews and 'Orientals'; and, offers a window onto the use of the Bible in the Western world.