Self-interest or communal interest : an ideology of leadership in the Gideon, Abimelech, and Jephthah narratives (Judg. 6-12) / / by Elie Assis.

• Superior document: Supplements to Vetus Testamentum, 106
• Author: Assis, Eliyahu.
• Year of Publication: 2005
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Supplements to Vetus Testamentum ; v. 106.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (280 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• ISBN: 1280868015; 9786610868018; 1429452986; 9047407377; 143370420X
• ISSN: 0083-5889
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: by Elie Assis.

This book provides an extensive literary analysis of the Gideon, Abimelech and Jephthah narratives in Judges 6-12, and discloses the main intention of these stories. The book consists of three chapters, each of which analyses the respective biblical narratives. These narratives show the two parameters by which the Israelite leaders are examined, namely their loyalty to God and their altruistic character: A leader who prefers his own interest is doomed to his own demise and brings devastation upon his people. Judges does not establish a preferred governmental model, instead it considers the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of regimes. In the epilogue it is suggested that these narratives are conveniently placed in the pre-monarchic period when the question of the regime becomes part of the political debate. The book of Judges offers criteria for the choice of the right leader.