Judges 12

Judges 12:1-6

Judges 12:1-15 once again reveals the tragedy pride can lead us into (compare Joshua 17:14-18 and Judges 8:1-3). The tribe of Ephraim approached Jephthah with threats because he had not called them to battle. He told them he had called and they had refused to come to his aid so he proceeded into battle without them at great personal risk. Jephthah gathered his army together and fought with the people of Ephraim. They blocked their path across the fords of Jordan and used a dialect distinction to be sure none got away. Forty-two thousand were slain as a result of pride (1-6).

Judges 12:7-15

Jephthah judged Israel for six years. He was followed by Ibzan, who judged for seven years and Elon, who God used over his people for ten years. Abdon is said to be a Pirathonite, which was in Ephraim (1 Chronicles 27:14). He judged for eight years.