The book of Judges states its general theme in unmistakable terms.
There arose another generation after them [after Joshua’s generation] who did not know the LORD (Judges 2:10).
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).
The Israelites repeatedly rebel again God. After suffering the consequences, they cry for God’s help, and God uses a leader called a “judge” to rescue them.
Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and He saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge…But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers (Judges 2:18-19).
The names of God’s appointed judges are as follows: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson and, in the next book, Samuel. (There are also false leaders such as ‘king’ Abimelech and Micah with his hired ‘priest.’) Of God’s thirteen judges, twelve are men. The lady judge is Deborah.
In family matters, the authority of the father and the husband is harsh at times (Judges 11:30-40; 19:1-30 cf. Genesis 19:6-11). Despite his strength, Samson proves weaker than his Philistine lovers. When an angel appears to Manoah’s wife, he takes the form of a man (Judges 13). Gideon, when given an opportunity to build a dynasty, exhibits the spirit of true leadership.
I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you (Judges 8:23).