Judges — Chapter 10

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1And 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.

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

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

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

5And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

6And 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.

7And 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.

8And 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.

9Moreover 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.

10And 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.

11And 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?

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

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

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

15And 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.

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

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

18And 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.

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

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

3And after him arose Jair, the Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty and two years.

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

5And Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.

6And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and served the Baalim, and the Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook Jehovah, and served him not.

7And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon.

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

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

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

11And Jehovah said unto the children of Israel, [Did] not [I save you] from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

12The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried unto me, and I saved you out of their hand.

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

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

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

16And they put away the foreign gods from among them, and served Jehovah; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

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

18And the people, the 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.

1After Abimelech’s death, Tola son of Puah, grandson of Dodo, from the tribe of Issachar, rose up to deliver Israel. He lived in Shamir in the Ephraimite hill country.

2He led Israel for 23 years, then died and was buried in Shamir.

3Jair the Gileadite rose up after him; he led Israel for 22 years.

4He had 30 sons who rode on 30 donkeys and possessed 30 cities. To this day these towns are called Havvoth Jair—they are in the land of Gilead.

5Jair died and was buried in Kamon.

6The Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, as well as the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines. They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him.

7The Lord was furious with Israel and turned them over to the Philistines and Ammonites.

8They ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites that eighteenth year—that is, all the Israelites living east of the Jordan in Amorite country in Gilead.

9The Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight with Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. Israel suffered greatly.

10The Israelites cried out for help to the Lord: “We have sinned against you. We abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals.”

11The Lord said to the Israelites, “Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines,

12the Sidonians, Amalek, and Midian when they oppressed you? You cried out for help to me, and I delivered you from their power.

13But since you abandoned me and worshiped other gods, I will not deliver you again.

14Go and cry for help to the gods you have chosen! Let them deliver you from trouble!”

15But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. You do to us as you see fit, but deliver us today!”

16They threw away the foreign gods they owned and worshiped the Lord. Finally the Lord grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.

17The Ammonites assembled and camped in Gilead; the Israelites gathered together and camped in Mizpah.

18The leaders of Gilead said to one another, “Who is willing to lead the charge against the Ammonites? He will become the leader of all who live in Gilead!”

1After Abimelech, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.

2He judged Israel twenty-three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

3After him Jair, the Gileadite arose, and he judged Israel twenty-two years.

4He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

5Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.

6The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and served the Baals, the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh, and didn’t serve him.

7Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon.

8They troubled and oppressed the children of Israel that year. For eighteen years, they oppressed all the children of Israel that were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

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

10The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, saying, “We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the Baals.”

11Yahweh said to the children of Israel, “Didn’t I save you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

12The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, oppressed you; and you cried to me, and I saved you out of their hand.

13Yet you have forsaken me, and served other gods. Therefore I will save you no more.

14Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen. Let them save you in the time of your distress!”

15The children of Israel said to Yahweh, “We have sinned! Do you to us whatever seems good to you; only deliver us, please, today.”

16They put away the foreign gods from among them, and served Yahweh; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

17Then the children of Ammon were gathered together and encamped in Gilead. The children of Israel assembled themselves together and encamped in Mizpah.

18The people, the princes of Gilead, said to one another, “Who is the man who will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

After Abimelech, Tola and Jair judge Israel for a combined forty-five years of relative peace. These minor judges provide stability between the major cycles of apostasy and deliverance.

Authorship & Background

Author: Unknown, traditionally attributed to Samuel. Judges covers approximately 350 years (1380-1050 BC) between Joshua's death and the rise of the monarchy. Hebrew title: 'Shophetim' — 'Judges' (deliverers/ rulers raised by God). The book records Israel's repeated cycle: sin → oppression → crying out → deliverance → rest → sin again. The refrain: 'In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes' (17:6, 21:25). The book demonstrates humanity's need for a righteous king — ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Historical Context: Chapter 10 serves as a transition chapter containing two minor judges (Tola and Jair) and the introduction to the Jephthah narrative (continued in chapter 11). The chapter's theological center is God's extraordinary dialogue with Israel (vv.10-16) — one of the most emotionally charged exchanges in the Old Testament. Israel confesses sin; God responds with what appears to be a refusal: "I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen" (vv.13-14). This is not final rejection but severe discipline — God forces Israel to confront the absurdity of their idolatry. When they genuinely repent (putting away foreign gods, v.16), "his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel" (v.16, KJV). God's compassion overcomes His anger. The chapter also records Israel's most comprehensive idolatry: they served the gods of SEVEN nations simultaneously (v.6) — total spiritual promiscuity.
Minor Judges: Tola and Jair (vv.1-5): Tola son of Puah, from Issachar, judges Israel 23 years (vv.1-2). He "arose to defend Israel" (KJV) / "arose to save Israel" (ESV) — suggesting military activity, though no details are given. Jair the Gileadite judges 22 years (v.3). He has 30 sons riding 30 donkeys with 30 cities (v.4) — indicating wealth and influence. Together they provide 45 years of stability between Abimelech's chaos and the Ammonite oppression.
Israel's Comprehensive Idolatry (v.6): The most extensive catalogue of Israel's idolatry in Judges: they served Baalim, Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and the Philistines — seven nations' gods. "And forsook the LORD, and served not him" (v.6). Total abandonment. They did not merely add other gods — they replaced the LORD entirely.
Ammonite Oppression (vv.7-9): God sells Israel to the Philistines (west) and Ammonites (east) simultaneously (v.7). Eighteen years of crushing oppression in Gilead (v.8). The Ammonites then cross the Jordan to attack Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim (v.9) — the threat expands from regional to national. "Israel was sore distressed" (v.9).
God's Dialogue with Israel (vv.10-16): Israel cries out with confession: "We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim" (v.10). God's response is devastating: He recounts seven past deliverances (vv.11-12) — matching the seven gods they served. Then: "Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more" (v.13). The command: "Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you" (v.14). This is holy sarcasm — forcing Israel to face the impotence of their idols. Israel's response shows genuine repentance: "We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only" (v.15). They put away foreign gods and serve the LORD (v.16). God's response: "his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel" (v.16). Compassion wins.
The Search for a Leader (vv.17-18): Ammon gathers for war; Israel assembles at Mizpah (v.17). The question: "What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon?" (v.18). The answer comes in chapter 11 — Jephthah, the outcast.

Map & Geography

  • Tola: From Issachar, dwells in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim (central highlands)
  • Jair: A Gileadite — operates in Transjordan (30 cities in Gilead called Havvoth-jair)
  • Oppression comes from both sides: Philistines from the west (coastal plain) and Ammonites from the east (Transjordan)

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes God's "tough love" in vv.13-14 — He refuses to be a convenience God, called upon only in emergencies while ignored in prosperity. The dialogue forces Israel to choose: either their idols are sufficient or they are not. God's apparent refusal produces genuine repentance.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "'His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.' What a word! God grieved! The Almighty moved with compassion for a people who deserved none! They had served seven nations' gods and forsaken Him utterly — yet when they repented, His heart could not bear their suffering. This is our God: just enough to punish, tender enough to grieve, gracious enough to deliver. His anger is momentary; His compassion is eternal."

Reflection

  • 1. God refuses to be a convenience (vv.13-14). Israel served other gods in prosperity and cried to the LORD in adversity. God refuses this arrangement: "Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen." He will not be the emergency backup for those who ignore Him in good times. Do I treat God as my first resort or my last resort?
  • 2. Genuine repentance includes action (v.16). Israel did not merely say "we have sinned" — they "put away the strange gods." Words without corresponding action are not repentance. True repentance removes the idol, not just confesses its existence.
  • 3. God's compassion overcomes His anger (v.16). Despite everything — seven nations' gods, total abandonment, repeated cycles — when Israel genuinely repents, God's soul is "grieved for their misery." His compassion is greater than His anger. His mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).
  • 4. Unconditional surrender (v.15). "Do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee." This is the posture of genuine repentance: no bargaining, no conditions, no demands. Simply: "We deserve whatever You give. We only ask for mercy." This is how we should approach God — not with entitlement but with surrender.
  • 5. The absurdity of idolatry exposed (v.14). No one actually trusts their idols in crisis. When real trouble comes, everyone turns to the real God. This exposes what we already know: our idols are powerless. Why do we serve what cannot save?