Judges 10:1-18

10:1-5 | Despite the longevity of their reigns, very little is revealed about Israel’s next two judges, Tola and Jair, except that God raised them up to save Israel. However, their roles were important as foils. Tola delivered Israel while Abimelech destroyed it. Jair was blessed with 30 sons, while succeeding “deliverer,” Jephthah, had only one child and made a foolish vow that kept his line from continuing.

10:16 | The author’s report that the Lord could no longer endure the misery of Israel sounds like a compassionate response. But the verb translated endure is used elsewhere in the OT to describe impatience or abhorrence (Job 21:4; Zech. 11:8). Yahweh, who is rich in grace and forgiveness (Ex. 34:5-7), had tired of His people’s insincere confession and exploitation of His goodness.