1 And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

2 And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

3 And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.

4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

5 And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.

7 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

8 And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

9 Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.

10 And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

11 And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

15 And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.

18 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tola and Jair judge Israel.
Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield least variety of matter to be spoken of. Such were the days of Tola and Jair. They were humble, active, and useful men, rulers appointed of God.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Tola Restored Order, Law, and Justice
—After the death of Abimelech, the usurper, the Lord raised up Tola to judge Israel. His peaceful reign presented a happy contrast to the stormy scenes through which the nation had been passing. It was not his work to lead armies to battle and to achieve victories over the enemies of Israel, as the former rulers had done; but his influence effected a closer union among the people, and established the government upon a firmer basis. He restored order, law, and justice.Unlike the proud and envious Abimelech, Tola's great desire was, not to secure position or honor for himself, but to improve the condition of his people. A man of deep humility, he felt that he could accomplish no great work, but he determined to perform with faithfulness his duty to God and to the people. He highly valued the privilege of divine worship, and chose to dwell near the tabernacle, that he might oftener attend upon the services there performed (The Signs of the Times, August 11, 1881).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
There arose - Not of himself, but raised by God, as the other judges were. To defend - Or, to save, which he did not by fighting against, and overthrowing their enemies, but by a prudent and pious government of them, whereby he kept them from sedition, oppression, and idolatry. In Shamir - Which was in the very midst of the land.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 46:13 Judges 2:16 Judges 9:57 Judges 10:2

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tola and Jair judge Israel.
Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield least variety of matter to be spoken of. Such were the days of Tola and Jair. They were humble, active, and useful men, rulers appointed of God.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Tola Restored Order, Law, and Justice
—After the death of Abimelech, the usurper, the Lord raised up Tola to judge Israel. His peaceful reign presented a happy contrast to the stormy scenes through which the nation had been passing. It was not his work to lead armies to battle and to achieve victories over the enemies of Israel, as the former rulers had done; but his influence effected a closer union among the people, and established the government upon a firmer basis. He restored order, law, and justice.Unlike the proud and envious Abimelech, Tola's great desire was, not to secure position or honor for himself, but to improve the condition of his people. A man of deep humility, he felt that he could accomplish no great work, but he determined to perform with faithfulness his duty to God and to the people. He highly valued the privilege of divine worship, and chose to dwell near the tabernacle, that he might oftener attend upon the services there performed (The Signs of the Times, August 11, 1881).
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:1 Judges 10:3

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tola and Jair judge Israel.
Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield least variety of matter to be spoken of. Such were the days of Tola and Jair. They were humble, active, and useful men, rulers appointed of God.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Jair Tried to Maintain Worship of God
—[Judges 10:6 quoted.] Tola governed Israel twenty-three years, and was succeeded by Jair. This ruler also feared the Lord and endeavored to maintain His worship among the people. In conducting the affairs of the government he was assisted by his sons, who acted as magistrates, and went from place to place to administer justice.To some extent, during the latter part of Jair's reign, and more generally after his death, the Israelites again relapsed into idolatry (The Signs of the Times, August 11, 1881).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
A Gileadite - Of Gilead beyond Jordan.
McArther Bible Commentary
Most likely, the judgeship of Jair coincided with the time period of Ruth.
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:2 Judges 10:4

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tola and Jair judge Israel.
Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield least variety of matter to be spoken of. Such were the days of Tola and Jair. They were humble, active, and useful men, rulers appointed of God.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Jair Tried to Maintain Worship of God
—[Judges 10:6 quoted.] Tola governed Israel twenty-three years, and was succeeded by Jair. This ruler also feared the Lord and endeavored to maintain His worship among the people. In conducting the affairs of the government he was assisted by his sons, who acted as magistrates, and went from place to place to administer justice.To some extent, during the latter part of Jair's reign, and more generally after his death, the Israelites again relapsed into idolatry (The Signs of the Times, August 11, 1881).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
And he had thirty sons - They were itinerant judges, who rode from place to place, as their father's deputies to administer justice. Havoth - jair - These villages were called so before this time from another Jair, but the old name was revived and confirmed upon this occasion.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 32:41 Judges 5:10 Judges 10:3 Judges 10:5 2 Samuel 16:2 Zechariah 9:9

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Tola and Jair judge Israel.
Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield least variety of matter to be spoken of. Such were the days of Tola and Jair. They were humble, active, and useful men, rulers appointed of God.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Jair Tried to Maintain Worship of God
—[Judges 10:6 quoted.] Tola governed Israel twenty-three years, and was succeeded by Jair. This ruler also feared the Lord and endeavored to maintain His worship among the people. In conducting the affairs of the government he was assisted by his sons, who acted as magistrates, and went from place to place to administer justice.To some extent, during the latter part of Jair's reign, and more generally after his death, the Israelites again relapsed into idolatry (The Signs of the Times, August 11, 1881).
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:4 Judges 10:6

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines and Ammonites oppress Israel.
Now the threatening was fulfilled, that the Israelites should have no power to stand before their enemies, (Leviticus 26:17,37). By their evil ways and their evil doings they procured this to themselves.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Jair Tried to Maintain Worship of God
—[Judges 10:6 quoted.] Tola governed Israel twenty-three years, and was succeeded by Jair. This ruler also feared the Lord and endeavored to maintain His worship among the people. In conducting the affairs of the government he was assisted by his sons, who acted as magistrates, and went from place to place to administer justice.To some extent, during the latter part of Jair's reign, and more generally after his death, the Israelites again relapsed into idolatry (The Signs of the Times, August 11, 1881).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Forsook the Lord - They grew worse and worse, and so ripened themselves for ruin. Before they worshipped God and idols together, now they forsake God, and wholly cleave to idols.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:16 Deuteronomy 31:17 Deuteronomy 32:15 Joshua 13:31 Judges 2:11 Judges 2:13 Judges 10:5 Judges 11:24 1 Kings 11:5 Isaiah 23:4 Ezekiel 27:16

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines and Ammonites oppress Israel.
Now the threatening was fulfilled, that the Israelites should have no power to stand before their enemies, (Leviticus 26:17,37). By their evil ways and their evil doings they procured this to themselves.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Philistines, &c. - The one on the west, the other on the east; so they were molested on both sides.
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:8 1 Samuel 12:9

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines and Ammonites oppress Israel.
Now the threatening was fulfilled, that the Israelites should have no power to stand before their enemies, (Leviticus 26:17,37). By their evil ways and their evil doings they procured this to themselves.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
That year - Or, that year they had vexed and oppressed the children of Israel eighteen years - This was the eighteenth year from the beginning of that oppression. And these eighteen years are not to be reckoned from Jair's death, because that would enlarge the time of the judges beyond the just bounds; but from the fourth year of Jair's reign: so that the greatest part of Jair's reign was contemporary with this affliction. The case of Jair and Samson seem to be much alike. For as it is said of Samson, that he judged Israel in the days of the tyranny of the Philistines, twenty years, (Judges 15:20) , by which it is evident, that his judicature, and their dominion, were contemporary; the like is to be conceived of Jair, that he began to judge Israel, and endeavoured to reform religion, and purge out all abuses; but being unable to effect this through the backwardness of the, people, God would not enable him to deliver the people, but gave them up to this sad oppression; so that Jair could only determine differences amongst the Israelites, but could not deliver them from their enemies.
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:7 Judges 10:9

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines and Ammonites oppress Israel.
Now the threatening was fulfilled, that the Israelites should have no power to stand before their enemies, (Leviticus 26:17,37). By their evil ways and their evil doings they procured this to themselves.
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:8 Judges 10:10 Judges 11:4

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
And served also - Because not contented to add idols to thee, we have preferred them before thee.
McArther Bible Commentary
We have sinned. Confession is followed by true repentance (Jdg 10:15-16).
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:9 1 Samuel 7:6 1 Samuel 12:10 Psalm 106:44 Jeremiah 2:27

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The Lord said - Either by some prophet whom he raised and sent for this purpose: or by the high - priest, who was consulted in the case. From the Amorites - Both Sihon and Og, and their people, and other kings of the Amorites within Jordan. Of Ammon - Who were confederate with the Moabites, (Judges 3:13-14) .
Bible Cross References
Numbers 21:21 Judges 2:12 Judges 3:13

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The Zidonians - We do not read of any oppression of Israel, particularly, by the Zidonians. But many things were done, which are not recorded. The Maonites - Either first, those who lived in, or near the wilderness of Maon, in the south of Judah, (1 Samuel 23:25) , (1 Samuel 25:2) , whether Edomites or others. Or, secondly, the Mehunims, a people living near the Arabians, of whom, (2 Chronicles 26:7) . For in the Hebrew, the letters of both names are the same, only the one is the singular, the other the plural number.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 14:7 Psalm 106:42

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
No more - Except you repent in another manner than you yet have done; which when they performed, God suspended the execution of this threatning.
McArther Bible Commentary
Here is the form of God's wrath, in which He abandons persistent, willful sinners to the consequences of their sins. This aspect of divine judgment is referred to in the case of Samson (Jdg 16:20), as well as the warnings of Pro 1:20-31; Rom 1:24-28. It is a pattern of rejection seen throughout history (cf. Act 14:15-16) even among the Jews (cf. Hos 4:17; Mat 15:14).
Bible Cross References
Jeremiah 2:13 Judges 10:14

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Chosen - You have not been forced to worship those gods by your oppressors; but you have freely chosen them before me.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:37 Jeremiah 2:28

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Do thou unto us - Do not give us up into the hands of these cruel men, but do thou chastise us with thine own hand as much as thou pleasest; if we be not more faithful and constant to thee, than we have hitherto been.
McArther Bible Commentary
Do to us whatever seems best. Genuine repentance acknowledges God's right to chasten, so His punishment is seen as just and He is thereby glorified. It also seeks the remediation that chastening brings, because genuine contrition pursues holiness.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 3:18 1 Samuel 12:10

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
They put away - This was an evidence of the sincerity of their sorrow, that they did not only confess their sins, but also forsake them. His soul, &c. - He acted towards them, like one that felt their sufferings; he had pity upon them, quite changed his carriage towards them, and punished their enemies as sorely as if they had grieved and injured his own person.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:36 Joshua 24:23 1 Samuel 7:3 1 Samuel 12:10 Psalm 73:21 Isaiah 63:9 Jeremiah 31:20

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Mizpeh - That Mizpeh which was beyond Jordan.
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:18 Judges 11:4 Judges 11:11 Judges 11:29 Judges 11:34 1 Samuel 7:5

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Israel's repentance.
God is able to multiply men's punishments according to the numbers of their sins and idols. But there is hope when sinners cry to the Lord for help, and lament their ungodliness as well as their more open transgressions. It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction that those things cannot help us which we have set in competition with God. They acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them according to their deserts. We must submit to God's justice, with a hope in his mercy. True repentance is not only for sin, but from sin. As the disobedience and misery of a child are a grief to a tender father, so the provocations of God's people are a grief to him. From him mercy never can be sought in vain. Let then the trembling sinner, and the almost despairing backslider, cease from debating about God's secret purposes, or from expecting to find hope from former experiences. Let them cast themselves on the mercy of God our Saviour, humble themselves under his hand, seek deliverance from the powers of darkness, separate themselves from sin, and from occasions of it, use the means of grace diligently, and wait the Lord's time, and so they shall certainly rejoice in his mercy.
Bible Cross References
Judges 10:17 Judges 11:1 Judges 11:8