X. Judges 10:1. Tola of Issachar judges Israel for twenty years. Judges 10:3. Jair of Gilead for twenty-two years. Judges 10:6. Fresh apostasies of Israel, Judges 10:7 and their punishment in the oppression of the people by enemies. Judges 10:10. Repentance of Israel, and God’s answer to them. Judge... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER ABIMELECH. — his is merely a note of time. Abimelech is not counted among the judges, though it is not improbable that, evil as was the episode of his rebellions, he may have kept foreign enemies in check. TO DEFEND ISRAEL. — Rather, _to deliver,_ as in the margin and elsewhere (Judges 2:16;... [ Continue Reading ]
HE JUDGED ISRAEL. — The recurrence of the normal verb (to judge) shows that Tola was an honour able “Suffes,” not a despot, like Abimelech. Nothing further is known about Tola.... [ Continue Reading ]
JAIR, A GILEADITE. — In Numbers 32:41 we are told of a Jair, the son of Manasseh, who “took the small towns” of Gilead, and called them Havoth-jair. This earlier Jair, with Nobah, plays a splendid part in Jewish legend, which is only alluded to in Scripture (see Deuteronomy 3:14). In what relation t... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD THIRTY SONS. — An indication of his rank and position, which assumed an ostentatious polygamy. (Comp. Judges 8:30.) THAT RODE ON THIRTY ASS COLTS. — Comp. Judges 5:10; see on Judges 12:14. Implying that Jair was able to bring up his numerous household in wealth. The horse was little used in Pale... [ Continue Reading ]
IN CAMON. — There seems to have been a Kamon six miles from Megiddo (Euseb. Jer.), but it is far more probable that this town was in Gilead, as Josephus says (_Antt. v._ 6, § 6), and there is a Kamon mentioned as near Pella by Polybius (_Hist. v._ 70, § 12).... [ Continue Reading ]
DID EVIL AGAIN. — Literally, _added to do evil:_ “joining new sins to their old ones,” as the Vulg. paraphrases it (Judges 2:11; Judges 3:7, &c). SERVED BAALIM, AND ASHTAROTH. — Judges 2:19. Seven kinds of idols are mentioned, in obvious symmetry with the seven retributive oppressions in Judges 10:... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_7_)_ THE ANGER OF THE LORD. — For the phrases in this verse see Judges 2:14; Judges 3:8; comp. 1 Samuel 12:9. OF THE PHILISTINES. — Judges 3:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YEAR. — The narrative is evidently imperfect, as no year is specified. VEXED AND OPPRESSED. — This again is a _paronomasia,_ or assonance, like “broke to yoke” in English, THE LAND OF THE AMORITES. — The kingdoms of Og and Sihon.... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER. — Rather, _and._ Eighteen years’ oppression of the Trans-jordanic tribes emboldened them to attack the others. WAS SORE DISTRESSED. — The same expression is used in Judges 2:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
CRIED UNTO THE LORD. — Judges 6:6; 1 Samuel 12:10. AND THE LORD SAID. — The method of the Divine communication is not specified. A stern experience might have spoken to the national conviction with prophetic voice. FROM THE EGYPTIANS. — Exodus 1-14 FROM THE AMORITES. — Numbers 21:3; Joshua 10 FR... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIDONIANS. — Judges 3:3; Judges 18:7. Nothing very definite is recorded of deliverance from the Sidonians; but (as we have seen) the narrative of the book is typical rather than exhaustive. (Comp. Psalms 106:42.) THE AMALEKITES. — Exodus 17:8, Exod. 6:33, Exodus 3:13. THE MAONITES. — As the LXX... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL DELIVER YOU NO MORE. — A threat which, as the sequel proves, was (as in other passages of Scripture) to be understood _conditionally_ (Jeremiah 18:7).... [ Continue Reading ]
_GO_ AND CRY UNTO THE GODS. — With this bitter reproach comp. Deuteronomy 32:37; 2 Kings 3:13; Jeremiah 2:28. IN THE TIME OF YOUR TRIBULATION. — Comp. 1 Kings 18:27; Proverbs 1:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER US ONLY, WE PRAY THEE, THIS DAY. — The invariable cry of the soul in trouble. With the former half of the verse comp. 1 Samuel 3:18; 1 Samuel 15:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY PUT AWAY THE STRANGE GODS. — The moment the sincerity of their repentance was proved, God hears them (Genesis 35:1; 1 Samuel 7:3; 2 Chronicles 15:8). HIS SOUL WAS GRIEVED. — Literally, _was shortened._ (Comp. Zechariah 11:8.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN. — Rather, _and,_ a general note of time. WERE GATHERED TOGETHER. — Literally, _were cried together. Conclamati sunt._ IN MIZPEH. — A very common name, since it means “watch-tower.” This is doubtless the Mizpeh in Gilead (Judges 11:29; Joshua 11:3), also called Ramoth-Mizpeh, or Ramoth-Gilead... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE AND PRINCES. — There is no “and” in the original; but it cannot be a case of apposition, because the term “people” is never applied to “princes.” HEAD. — Comp. Judges 11:11.... [ Continue Reading ]