Transition Governments

The period of Jephthah’s judgeship in Israel is short, a mere six years. Though we are not told how old he was when God raised him up, we know he had an unmarried daughter who was still living at home, indicating he may not have been an aged man. Matthew Henry speculates that grief over the foolish vow that led to his beloved daughter’s death may have shortened his lifespan.

Jephthah is followed by three minor judges who also experience relatively short judgeships. Ibzan of Bethlehem (either the one in Judah or the one in Zebulun, Josh. 19:15) is divinely blessed with 30 sons and 30 daughters, a sharp contrast to Jephthah, who had but one daughter. Ibzan judges Israel for seven years. After him, Elon of Zebulun judges Israel for 10 years. Then comes Abdon of Pirathon in Ephraim, who also is greatly blessed with descendants—40 sons and 30 grandsons. He judges Israel for eight years.

What is the nature of these judgeships? It is interesting to note that the formula used here—“… judged Israel X years”—has replaced the previous formula—“the land had rest for X years”—since the time of Gideon, suggesting that the judges no longer are being enabled by God to relieve Israel’s oppression in one mighty blow. That may mean that these men exercise a role that is more administrative than military. But it also could mean that there is oppression to some degree, and that these men lead Israel in resistance to it. We know that God, in His anger, gave the Israelites into the hand of the Ammonites and the Philistines (10:7), but while the Ammonite yoke was broken by Jephthah, we have no record of the Philistines being subdued. And the Philistines are soon to gain the mastery over Israel (13:1). In any case, these administrations are merely summarized here because no great works of God occur in these times. Thus, these short accounts remind us that Judges is not about the judges but about the Judge.

After the death of Abdon, the Israelites again turn away from God, and He gives the Philistines dominance over them. Never are we told that Israel repents or even cries out for rescue from the 40 long years of Philistine oppression. And yet, motivated by His undying compassion for His people, God is preparing another deliverance, perhaps the most unexpected and fascinating of all.