What is the four-fold pattern of the Book of Judges?

Answer 1

They refused to follow God, but instead followed the example of and worshipped the pagan gods of the countries around them, were then conquered by those countries, they cried out to God for help, God raised up Judges who threw out the conquerers, everything was alright until the judge died, then they refused to obey God , then the cycle started all over again:-

Jdg 2:11-12, 14, 16-19 KJV [v. 11] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, ... [v. 12] And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. ... [v. 14] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and ... he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. ... [v. 16] Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. [v. 17] And yetthey would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them:they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. [v. 18] And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. [v. 19] And it came to pass,when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

This whole cycle is summarized in the very last verse of Judges:-

Jdg 21:25 KJV In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Answer 2

The Israelites sin, and because of sin they experience disaster, they then repent, and God sends a judge to help, and overcomes their enemies. Finally they live in peace for a bit and the the cycle starts over.

Answer 3

The content of the book of Judges is, cycle of sin. They committed SIN became servants that is SERVITUDE to their enemies. They began to repent and put SUPPLICATION before the Lord. God heard their cry and gave SALVATION and there was SILENCE and peace. This continues through the book.