Commentaria in Judices
Canons Proper to the Book of Judges
First. Here are frequently numbered, at various times, various years of the servitude and oppression of the Hebrews, namely those in which they were vexed and oppressed by Eglon, Jabin, the Madianites, the Philistines and other kings and nations. But all these years are not to be placed and reckoned separately in the chronology, but are included within the times and years of the immediately preceding or following Judges. That this is so I shall show in chap. 4, verse 3.
Second. Holy Scripture, when it records a number of years, often understands by it their term, not that they were completed in full in such a place or action, but that the action there came to its end. So Exodus 12:40 it is said: “The sojourning of the children of Israel in Egypt was 430 years,” that is, it was ended in the 430th year, says St. Augustine, book XVI On the City of God, chap. 24, for they dwelt in Egypt only 215 years. So Judith, the last chapter, verse 28, it is said that she remained in the house of her husband 105 years, that is, until the 105th year; for she spent her girlhood years in the house of her parents, not of her husband. So Judges 14:17 it is said that Dalila wept seven days of the feast, that is, until the seventh day; for she began to weep after the third day of the feast.
Third. The Commonwealth of the Hebrews (like many others) changed its state and form after every 400 years from Aristocracy to Monarchy or Democracy; for this is the period of many Commonwealths. This is clear from the chronological table which I prefixed to the Pentateuch.
Fourth. In this book some things are narrated which were not done by the Judges, but happened in the time of the Judges. Wherefore this book has two parts. In the former the deeds of the Judges are narrated, with preambles added at the beginning of them. This is done from chap. 3 to chap. 16 inclusive. In the latter certain histories are recounted which happened under some Judge who is not named. This is done from chap. 17 to the end of the book. For in chaps. 17 and 18 is narrated the history of Michas and the idol set up in Dan; and in the last three chapters is recounted the history of the wife of the Levite, on account of whose violation the whole tribe of Benjamin was almost cut off to extermination.
Fifth. All these Judges were types and figures of Christ. For as they were saviours of Israel, so Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, of which more in chap. 3, verse 9.
Sixth. The Spirit of the Lord is said to have clothed Gedeon, and to have rushed upon Samson, whenever he was about to undertake something arduous; by which phrase is signified, first, that the Spirit of God prevented him and impelled him to so great a work; second, it is signified that a copiousness and abundance of spirit and fortitude was bestowed on him, by which he easily and happily accomplished every undertaking beyond the strength of nature.
Seventh. There are in this book several notable symbols and hieroglyphs, such as the dew on the fleece of Gedeon, chap. 6, and the stratagem of the soldiers of Gedeon breaking pitchers with torches flashing forth, by which the Madianites were struck and laid low, chap. 7, and the seven locks of Samson, chap. 16.
Likewise Apologues, such as that of the trees choosing a king for themselves, the bramble, chap. 9, verse 8.
Likewise Enigmas, such as that of Samson about the lion that had a honeycomb: “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness,” chap. 14, verse 14.