After Joshua died, there wasn't a clear ruler of the nation of Israel. God appointed, or  more likely, they themselves appointed, the Tribe of Judah to lead charges into battle, but the need for war was slowing down. After cutting Adoni Bezek's thumbs and big toes off, the Israelites started to settle into their new home. Then they continuously got conquered, rose up, freed themselves and got conquered again. Notable assassinations? A guy named Ehud stabbed a king named Eglon and told his guards he was just taking a shit, this other guy Shamgar killed 600 people with a stick, and this lady Jael hammered a tent stake through General Sisera's head while he was asleep.