Judges 12 Study Notes

12:8-15 After Jephthah, there were three minor judges, Ibzan . . . Elon, and Abdon. Ibzan had thirty sons and thirty daughters, in contrast to Jephthah’s lost daughter, while Abdon had forty sons and thirty grandsons, where Jephthah had no grandchildren. They practiced polygamy and acquired wealth (cp. 8:28-32). The summary description of the lives of these judges contrasts with the earlier part of the book. Before Gideon, the cycle concluded with “and the land had rest for __ years.” After Gideon, the cycles conclude “and __ judged Israel __ years.” In place of saviors, these men were mere office bearers; in place of rest, there was mere stability.