Judges??

Samson judged Israel for twenty years during the period when the Philistines dominated the land. [Judges 15.20]

And then there was Samson.  What qualified Samson to judge Israel?  And, for that matter, what did it mean to "judge Israel?"

I don't recall that a definition for 'judging Israel' has really been established up to this point in the Bible except that Moses first 'judged' Israel and then later appointed judges from among them to hear the smaller cases (bringing the more difficult cases to Moses).  How it went from several judges to just one again (in the cases of Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, and all the others listed in succession of one another in the book of Judges) is not really explained.

Other than God having spoken to Manoah and his wife about this birth and life, there is not much else in Samson's life that speaks of true leadership qualities!  He is portrayed as not much more than a spoiled brat with incredible strength and a short temper.  And yet, he is on record as having 'judged' Israel.

At this time in Israel's history however, Samson's actions cannot be over-scrutinized as Israel progressively turned away from God between each judge mentioned.  There would be a period of time that they seemed to return to God, but then they would veer away seemingly further than they had before.

It is difficult to actually perceive what this period of time was like.

Father, admittedly, I don't get a lot about the "judges" of Israel.  There are some cool stories, but also some disturbing scenarios (Jephthah sacrificing his daughter to name one).  Help me to comprehend what it is I should about this time and these events!  Help me to see Jesus ultimately!