Prologue 1: incomplete conquest

Failure to conquer Canaan (Judges 1:1–2:5)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. aoptimistic opening assembly (at Gilgal?)1:1–2tribal conquests begin; obedient Israelites initiate positive communication with Yahweh; tribes set out to take land, with Yahweh's blessing and direction
2. bfailure of the tribes to take their lands1:3–36(1) Judah: more positive; (2) Benjamin: negative; (3) Joseph: negative; (4) Zebulun: negative; (5) Asher: negative; (6) Naphtali: negative; (7) Dan: negative
3. a′disheartening closing assembly at Bokim2:1–5conquest ends in failure and divine condemnation; Yahweh initiates negative communication with disobedient Israelites; Yahweh will no longer help tribes take their land