Judges:

Several "judges" led the people of Israel, turning them from their worship of "Baal" and "Ashtaroth" idols. The people often strayed from God and were punished by God -- then directed back to God, then again straying. One female "judge" was Deborah, said to be a "mother of Israel." Gideon was another judge who led Israel back to God, but, once again, when he died, they worshiped "Baal and Baal-berith." One of Gideon's sons, Abimelech, was acclaimed "king of Israel," for a short time, until he was defeated. Heathen gods again were worshipped and again the Hebrews were punished by being beaten in battle.

Samson (Judges 13-16):
Samson was given great strength from God, and became a judge over Israel for 20 years. At one point, (Judges 15: 15), Samson killed a thousand Philistines with a donkey's jawbone. He fell in love with Delilah, who nagged him into revealing his secret of his strength -- his uncut hair. She told the Philistines, who cut Samson's hair and then blinded him. His hair grew back, his strength returned, and he pulled down pillars supporting a temple -- killing many Philistines and himself.

A story (Judges 19-21) of a "horrible deed" of some men of the tribe of Benjamin against the wife of a Levite led to the other eleven tribes of Israel virtually eliminating the tribe of Benjamin -- all but a small number.