Judges 10

Judges 10:1

THere arose] i. e. Being called by God extraordinarily, as the rest of the Judges. So v. 3.

to defend] i. e. To preserve them in their peace, liberties, and the purity of Gods worship, against all that did oppose them.

in Shamir] i. e. A town of Issachar bordering on Ephraim. There was another of that name in Judah. Joshua 15:48.

Judges 10:3

a Gileadite] Dwelling in Gilead of the tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan, Josh. 17. 1, 5. Numbers 32:39. Genesis 31:48.

Judges 10:4

asse-colts] In token of dignity and authority. See Chap. 5. 10.

Havoth-jair] So called either from this Jair, or from that Jair, Numbers 32:41. Deuteronomy 3:14. It may be this mans progenitor.

Judges 10:5

in Camon] A city belonging to Manasseh, in the land of Bashan, lying north from mount Gilead.

Judges 10:6

Baalim and Ashtaroth] See Chap. 2. 13.

of Zidon] i. e. Astarte. See Chap. 2. 13.

of Moab] i. e. Chemosh. 1 Kings 11:33.

of Ammon] i. e. Milcom. 1 Kings 11:5. 33. and Chemosh. Chap. 11. 24.

of the Philistims] i. e. Dagon. 1 Samuel 5:2. and Ashtaroth. See Chap. 2. 13.

Judges 10:7

sold them] See Chap. 2. 14.

Judges 10:8

And that yeer] That is, (as some think) wherein they fell from the true worship of God, to this grosse idolatry, they vexed them, and so from that time, to the end of eighteen yeers. Others reckon these eighteen yeers from the death of Jair. Others read it thus, They vexed them that yeer, that is, the eighteenth, or the last yeer of the eighteen.

in Gilead] See vers. 3.

Judges 10:9

over Jordan] They did not onely afflict those beyond Jordan, but they also entred into Canaan on this side Jordan, and vexed Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim.

Judges 10:11

the Lord said] That is, either the Lord Christ appearing in humain shape, as before Chap. 2. 1. and 6. 23. or by his oracle related unto them by the high priest; or some prophet sent with this message.

Judges 10:12

Maonites] i. e. (as some read it) the inhabitants of the land; to wit, Canaan. Others understand hereby the inhabitants of a city called Maon, upon the south of Judah, Joshua 15:55. To which the wildernesse of Maon adjoyned, 1 Samuel 23:25.

Judges 10:13

deliver you no more] This threatning was not absolute, as the sequell sheweth, but conditionall, namely, if they did not repent, that is, Forsake their idolatry, and imbrace Gods pure worship, unto which, he provoketh and quickneth them, by this threatning. Jere. 18. 7, 8.

Judges 10:14

Go and cry] This is no reall command, but an ironicall upbraiding of them for their sin of idolatry, which now they found so fruitlesse in their greatest need. So 1 Kings 18:27.

Judges 10:15

do thou unto us] i. e. Punish us hereafter as thou pleasest, if we persist not in thy true and pure worship.

Judges 10:16

his soul was grieved] Heb. shortned, or straitned, which is spoken of God after the manner of men, that we the better may conceive of it.

Judges 10:17

Mizpeh] There were many other places of this name. But this did lie upon mount Gilead. See Chap. 11. 29. Genesis 31:49.

Judges 10:18

will begin to fight] i. e. Who will undertake to be our leader in this expedition against Ammon; he shall ever after be our captain and governour. Chap. 11. 8, 9.