Richter 10:4 Kommentar

In this chapter we have, I. The peaceable times Israel enjoyed under the government of two judges, Tola and Jair (Jdg 10:1-5). II. The troublesome times that ensued. 1. Israel's sin that brought them into trouble (Jdg 10:6). 2. The trouble itself they were in (Jdg 10:7-9). III. Their repentance and humiliation for sin, their prayers and reformation, and the mercy they found with God thereupon (Jdg 10:10-16). IV. Preparation made for their deliverance out of the hand of their oppressors (Jdg 10:17, Jdg 10:18).

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 10 This chapter gives an account of two judges of Israel, in whose days they enjoyed peace, Jdg 10:1, after which they sinning against God, came into trouble, and were oppressed by their enemies eighteen years, and were also invaded by an army of the Ammonites, Jdg 10:6, when they cried unto the Lord for deliverance, confessing their sin; but he had first refused to grant them any, though upon their importunity and reformation he had compassion on them, Jdg 10:10 and the chapter is concluded with the preparation made by both armies for a battle, Jdg 10:17.

And he had thirty sons that rode upon thirty ass colts,.... Which to ride on in those times was reckoned honourable, and on which judges rode in their circuit, Jdg 5:10 and such might be these sons of Jair, who were appointed under him to ride about, and do justice in the several parts of the country, as Samuel's sons were judges under him, Sa1 8:1, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead; or the villages of Jair. There were some of this name that belonged to Jair, a son of Manasseh, in the times of Moses, Num 32:41 and these may be the same, at least some of them; for they were but twenty three he had, whereas these were thirty, Ch1 2:22 and these coming by inheritance to this Jair, a descendant of the former, and he being of the same name, and these cities perhaps repaired and enlarged by him, the name of them was continued and established, for it is not reasonable to suppose, as some have done, that this is the same Jair that lived in the times of Moses, who, if so, must have lived more than three hundred years, an age men did not live to in those times.

TOLA JUDGES ISRAEL IN SHAMIR. (Jdg 10:1-5) after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel, Tola--that is, "to save." Deliverance was necessary as well from intestine usurpation as from foreign aggression. the son of Puah--He was uncle to Abimelech by the father's side, and consequently brother of Gideon; yet the former was of the tribe of Issachar, while the latter was of Manasseh. They were, most probably, uterine brothers. dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim--As a central place, he made it the seat of government.

he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts--This is a characteristic trait of Eastern manners in those early times; and the grant of a village to each of his thirty sons was a striking proof of his extensive possessions. His having thirty sons is no conclusive evidence that he had more than one wife, much less that he had more than one at a time. There are instances, in this country, of men having as many children by two successive wives.