Judges 10

Thola and Jair are judges verse 1 &c. Israel falleth into abominable idolatry 6 therefore God delivers them up into the hand of the philistines and the Ammonites who grievously plagued them 7 Israel at length by humble prayer and supplication and departing from idolatry obtaineth favor with God 10 the Ammonites and Israelites camp themselves the one against the other in Gilead 17.

1. Now after Abimelech arose [being thereunto raised by Godwin a special manner a the other judges were so verse 3] to save Israel [to restore Israel in peace and well being after Abimelechs death and to defend them against all that should go about to molest assault and oppress them] Thola a son Pua the son of Dodoa man of Issachar[one of the least tribes] and he dwelt at Samir on the mountain of Ephraim [to distinguish it from another Samir lying upon a mountain in Judea at the uttermost border of Canaan Joshua 15:4.]

2. And he judged Israel three and twenty years and he died and was buried at samir.

3. And after him Jair that Gileadite [out of the land of Gilead Lying on east side of Jordan see Numbers 3.2Joshua 17.1,5 and Genesis 31 on verse 21, 48] and he judged Israel Israel two an twenty years.

4. And he had thirty sons riding upon thirty ass colt [see above chapter 5 on verse 10] and they had thirty cities which they called Havvoith Jair [or Jair towns villages so called from their fathers Jair or from the former Jair or from the former Jair of whom we read Numbers 32:41 Deuteronomy 3:14 perhaps this Jair was one of the former Jair posterity] unto this day which are in the land of Gilead.

5. And Jair died, and was buried at Kamon. [A city lying on the North of mount Gilead, in the land of Basan, belonging to the half tribe of Manasseh]

6. Then the children of Israel went onto do that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD, [Each man proceeding from evil to worse, as appeareth by that which followeth,] and served Baalim, and Astharoth, [see above chap.2.on v. 13.] and the Gods of Syria, and the Gods of Zidon, and the Gods of Moab, and the Gods of children of Ammon, together with the Gods of the Philistines: and they forsook the Lord, and served him not.

7. Therefore the anger of the Lord kindled against Israel: and he sold them into the hand of the Philstines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon, [That is, he gave them, or delivered them into the power, &c. See above chap 2.on v.14.]

8. And they oppressed and trod upon [Or, offered violence, brake, crushed. Otherwise, had oppressed and trodden upon] the children of Israel that same year: [when they fell into this abominable Idolatry, so ill requeting the lord for the long-continued peace he had given them] unto eighteen years [otherwise, being the eighteenth year, (to wit) all, &c.] (Oppressed they) all the children of Israel, that were on the other side of Jordan, in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. [See above on verse 3.]

9. Besides the children of Ammon went over Jordan, to war, even against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was sore distressed.

10. Then the children of Israel cryed unto the Lord, saying; We have sinned against thee, as well because we have forsaken our God, as because we have served Baalim?

11. But the Lord said unto the children of Israel: Did not I (deliver) you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines.

12. And the Zidonians, and Amalekites, and Maonites, [Hebrew.Maon. There was a city of that name in the South of Juda, by the Wilderness of Maon, See Josua.15. on v.55. Otherwise, the inhabitants (of the land)] (which) oppressed you, when you cryed to me, (did not I) then delivered you out of their hand?

13. Not withstanding ye forsook me, and served other Gods: therefore I will not deliver you any more. [Hebrew. I will not add or proceed to deliver you. This the Lord threaten on condition, if they do not sincerely repent, forsake all Idolatry, and serving the true God onely, as the sequel declareth,]

14. Go your ways, and cry unto Gods, which ye have chosen: let them deliver you, in the time of your distress. [This is a phrase or manner of speaking called Ironia, or scoffing: as if God had said, go try whether the Gods whom ye here to fore worshipped will deliver you]

15. But the children of Israel said unto the LORD; we have sinned, do thou to us according to all that is good in thine eyes: [Hebrew. That is, according to thy good will and pleasure] onely delivered us, we pray thee, this day.

16. And they put away the strange Gods, [Hebrew. The Gods of strangers; that is, of the heathen that were estranged from God and Isael] out of the midst of them, and served the LORD: then his soul was grieved [or, distressed, perplexed. Hebrew. Properly shortned, moved down. This is after the manner of men, and by way of comparison affirmed of God. Compare Exodus.6.9. Numbers.21.4. and below chap.16.16. Job 21:4,&c.] For the labour [or weariness: that is, the misery, suffering, sorrow, which happened unto them, and wherein their soul labored] of Isreal.

17. And the children of Ammon were called together, and camped themselves in Gilead: [See above on v.3.] on the contrary the children of Isreal [being after their repentance comforted and strengthened of the Lord, who raised up Jephtah, for their deliverer. See chap.11.] were gathered together, and camped themselves at Mizpa. [Lying upon or at the mountain of Gilead. See Genesis.31.49. And below chap.11.11,29. There are other places more of this name; because the Hebrew word signifieth a top, or otherwise a fit place, where watch may be kept, and a man may see afar off: see of a country called Mizpa, Josua.11.3. Lying under mount Hermon at the sea. Of Mizpa in Judah, Joshua 15:38. And in Benjamin, Josua.18.26. And Mizpe of the Moabites, 1 Samuel.22.3. See also 1 King.15.22. Nehem.3.7, 15, 19. Jeremaih.40.6. Hos.5.1.]

18. Then said the people, the Princes of Gilead, [Theeldest of the people. See below chap.11.5.] The one to the other; the man to his neighbor] who is the man that shall begin to fight with the children of Ammon? The same shall be head to all the inhabitants of Gilead. [The meaning is, he that shall do that, shall be the Commander in chief, or Judge over all the Isrealites that dwell in Gilead. See such manner of asking or questioning, duet.20.5,6, etc. Psalms.34.13, 14. And elsewhere.]