Things do not get better as the book of #Judges progresses.

Throughout what we often call the "judges cycle," Israel's rebellion increases with each departure, and each judge in turn reflects more ethically compromised behavior and values.

Abimelech ben #Gideon asserts himself as a king. #Jephthah has less than noble origins and sacrifices his own daughter. #Israel endures a civil war. And then there's #Samson.