1. Judges 3:9 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why is it appropriate that the first judge is a Judahite?

Judges 3:9 (ESV)

9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.

Othniel became included in Israel in the tribe of Judah. Judah was the first to go up and fight the Canaanites (Judges 1:1–2), and had the best fighting record of any of the tribes. And so the reader is not surprised by Yahweh’s choosing of Othniel. The confidence we feel at this point…is going to be subtly transformed in subsequent episodes.1

Othniel is the ideal man, with the ideal background, experience, and connections. He’s very suited to lead Israel.