difference between judges and kings in the bible
Biblical judges
While judge is the closest literal translation of the Hebrew term used in the Masoretic text , the position is more one of unelected non-hereditary leadership than that of legal pronouncement . However , Cyrus H. Gordon argued that they were normally from among the hereditary leaders of the fighting , landed and ruling aristocracy , like the kings ( basileis ) in Homer . The shoftim many times played the role as an official with the authority to administer justice but not always . Most shoftim acted primarily as military leaders in times of war . The leaders were thought of as being sent by God to deliver the people from a threat . After the threat had passed , shoftim were generally expected to give up their position as military leaders . They were most likely tribal or local leaders , contrary to the Deuteronomistic historian 's portrayal of them as leaders of all of Israel , but their authority was recognized by local groups or tribes beyond their own . In accordance with the needs of the time , their functions were primarily martial and judicial but not comparable to those of a king . All biblical Judges performed judicial duties and the institution of Judges was separated from the institute of King ( 1 Samuel 10 : 25 ) . 
While judge is the closest literal translation of the Hebrew term used in the Masoretic text , the position is more one of unelected non-hereditary leadership than that of legal pronouncement . However , Cyrus H. Gordon argued that they were normally from among the hereditary leaders of the fighting , landed and ruling aristocracy , like the kings ( basileis ) in Homer . The shoftim many times played the role as an official with the authority to administer justice but not always . Most shoftim acted primarily as military leaders in times of war . The leaders were thought of as being sent by God to deliver the people from a threat . After the threat had passed , shoftim were generally expected to give up their position as military leaders . They were most likely tribal or local leaders , contrary to the Deuteronomistic historian 's portrayal of them as leaders of all of Israel , but their authority was recognized by local groups or tribes beyond their own . In accordance with the needs of the time , their functions were primarily martial and judicial but not comparable to those of a king . All biblical Judges performed judicial duties and the institution of Judges was separated from the institute of King ( 1 Samuel 10 : 25 ) .
While judge is the closest literal translation of the Hebrew term used in the Masoretic text , the position is more one of unelected non-hereditary leadership than that of legal pronouncement . In accordance with the needs of the time , their functions were primarily martial and judicial but not comparable to those of a king .All biblical Judges performed judicial duties and the institution of Judges was separated from the institute of King ( 1 Samuel 10 : 25 ) .
While judge is the closest literal translation of the Hebrew term used in the Masoretic text , the position is more one of unelected non-hereditary leadership than that of legal pronouncement . In accordance with the needs of the time , their functions were primarily martial and judicial but not comparable to those of a king . All biblical Judges performed judicial duties and the institution of Judges was separated from the institute of King ( 1 Samuel 10 : 25 ) .