Who Was Fit to Lead - Saul, Mordecai, Moses, Deborah, Jephthah

"And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city" and so forth (1 Samuel 8:22). Who was fit for the matter [of kingship]? This was Saul, as it is said, "Now there was a man of Benjamin" and so forth (1 Samuel 9:1). And like it: "And let the maiden which pleaseth the king" and so forth (Esther 2:4). Who was fit for the matter? "Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew" and so forth (Esther 2:5). And like it: "And God looked upon the children of Israel" and so forth (Exodus 2:25). Who was fit for the matter? "Now Moses kept the flock" and so forth (Exodus 3:1). Rabbi Yehoshua son of Rabbi Biri adds two more. "And he mightily oppressed the children of Israel" (Judges 4:3) — what is "mightily"? Rabbi Yitzchak said: with insults and revilings. Who was fit for the matter? Deborah, as it is written, "And Deborah, a prophetess" (Judges 4:4). And like it: "And the people said" and so forth (Judges 10:18). Who was fit for the matter? "Now Jephthah the Gileadite" (Judges 11:1).