Judges 12

Judges 12:1-7

In this chapter we have, 1. Jephthah’s rencounter with the Ephraimites, ver. 1—6. 2. His death, ver. 7. 3. An account of three other judges, Ibsan, Elon, and Abdon, ver. 8—15.

1. AND the men of Ephraim + gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore puffesfit thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and disfit not call us to go with thee? We will burn thine house upon thee with fire. And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands. 2. And when I saw that ye delivered me out, I put my life in my hands, and puffed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: Wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day to fight against me? 4. Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead house Ephraim, because they said, “Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim, among the Ephraimites, and among the Manaffites. 5. And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was A, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped, laid, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Jbt thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Noy: 6. Then laid they unto him, Say now + Shibboleth: and he said, Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him and flew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites’ forty and two thousand. 7. And Jephthah judged Israel fix years: then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in ear of the cities of Gilead.

No sooner is Jephthah delivered from foreign enemies, than he is disturbed with domestic feuds.

1. The men of Ephraim, jealous of the honour Manaffish had got, seek occasion to quarrel with him, as they had before done with Gideon, under pretence of being slighted, because not called to the war against Ammon, and threaten with outrageous violence to free Jephthah’s heuds over his head. Note, (1.) Quarrels between brethren are usually most bitter and violent. (2.) They who have done the greatest services to the cause of God, are not secure from the greatest insults, even sometimes from the pretended friends of the cause. (3.) The most spotless characters are the fairest mark for the foul fangs of envy to fallen upon.

2. Jephthah remonstrates against their violence and accusation. Their charge was as false as malicious: he had called them, and they had refused to come. When therefore the danger was so imminent, at the rise of his life, he went out to battle, and, through the strength of God, prevailed; was this a cause for their anger? Ought it not rather to be cause of thankfulness? Note, (1.) The greatest bullies are usually the greatest cowards. (2.) They who are themselves most in fault, would often save themselves by clamouring against the innocent. (3.)

They well deserve the honour, who purchase it at the peril of their lives.

3. The ill temper of the Ephraimites will not be pacified, and their ill tongue provokes the Gileadites, who came to interpose with them in behalf of their captain. They call them fugitives, a vagabond race, pretending as if they were expelled Canaan from the Ephraimites and Manaffites, as unworthy their relation. Such insults is too much for men of war usually to bear: swords are instantly drawn, and the Ephraimites justly punished for their insolence. They are routed in the field, and the passes of Jordan being secured by the men of Gilead, by the pronunciation of the word Shibboleth, which, being accustomed so to speak, they called Sibboleth, they are all directed, and slain, to the number of forty-two thousand. Note, (1.) A hasty and leing tongue usually occasions much mischief to its owner. (2.) They who insolently upheard others, quickly get themselves into a worse case.

4. Six years ended Jephthah’s government; perhaps grief for his daughter might contribute not a little to distress his days. He was buried in Gilead, probably in his own city Mizgeh. Note, Great and good men must die, as well as others; but there is one health, who will never leave his people to want a friend and protectors in time of need.

5. ¶ And after him Ibsan of Beth-lehem judged Israel. 9. And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, sadem he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. 10. Then died Ibsan, and was buried at Beth-lehem. 11. ¶ And after him, Elon a Zebulonite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years. 12. And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulon. 13. ¶ And after him, Abdon the son of Hillel a Pirathonite judged Israel. 14. And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on thricecore and ten ‘afs-celts: and he judged Israel eight years. 15. And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.

Judges 12:8-15

We have a short account of three succeeding judges.

1. Ibsan, of Bethlehem in Judah, judged Israel eight years. In his administration nothing remarkable is recorded; but his family was large, and he took care to settle them well in the world before he went out of it. Note, It is among the greatest blessings parents can enjoy, to see their children provided for before they die.

2. Elon, a Zebulonite, succeeded Ibsan, and ministered justice, and directed their affairs during ten years in peace, then was gathered to his fathers.

3. Abdon, an Ephraimite, was then raised up of God, and he presided eight years. He lived to a good old age, and saw his children’s children, forty sons, and thirty grandchildren, and all men of distinction, who rode in state as princes, or in circuit about the country, as judges and officers. Death, the common lot of man, at last removed him from his earthly blessings. Note, (1.) Whenever we hear of any man, and the good, we are sure to hear one thing of him, that he died. Let us read, and learn so to number our days, as to apply our hearts unto wisdom. (2.) If we must so join bid a kind adieu to every thing seen and temporal, let us by faith look forward to those things that are not seen, and are eternal.