Êxodo 18:2

(2)After he had sent her back. — Heb., after her dismissal. The fact had not been previously stated, but is in harmony with the general narrative, which has been absolutely silent concerning Zipporah since Êxodo 4:26. Moses had sent Zipporah back to her own relations, either in anger, on account of the scene described in Êxodo 4:24, or simply that he might not be encumbered with wife and children during the dangers and troubles which he anticipated in Egypt. Jethro assumed that, as the main troubles were now over, he would be glad to have his wife and children restored to him.

(2) He does not simply judge — i.e., decide the particular question brought before him; but he takes the opportunity to educate and instruct the people in delivering his judgments — he “makes them know the statutes of God and His laws” — he expounds principles and teaches morality. Both reasons were clearly of great weight, and constituted strong arguments in favour of his practice.