Acts 13:20
“After these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.”
What does Acts 13:20 mean?
After God led the Israelites out of Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and then entered the promised land. For roughly four hundred years after that, God raised up judges—leaders like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson—to guide the people, rescue them from enemies, and call them back to faithfulness when they strayed. Samuel, who came at the end of this period, was the last and greatest of these judges, and he also served as a prophet, speaking God's word directly to the people. This verse is Paul reminding his listeners of how God had cared for Israel throughout their history, preparing them for the next chapter when they would ask for a king. It's a reminder that God doesn't abandon His people, but provides leadership and guidance through different seasons of their lives.