By L. E. P. ERITH The Book of Judges covers a period of transition in the history of the Hebrews, and deals with the settlement of the various tribes in Palestine, their gradual combination into one people, and their conquest of the native Canaanites. Hitherto the Hebrews had been merely nomadic tribes, related but not united, living in separate districts with no common interests, as strangers among native races either in subjection or, with the possible exception of the tribes of Judah and