Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJudges 10

Government of Tola and JairThis section covers the time when Tola and Jair were judges of Israel. Their rule was marked by peace and order, so their stories are short in the Bible. Unlike Abimelech, they did not seek to be kings or take power for themselves. Instead, they were chosen by God to lead and help Israel in times of need. In their own ways, each judge served faithfully and helped keep Israel safe and united.v. 1: Tola became judge after Abimelech died. He was chosen by God to defend and protect Israel. After Abimelech’s violent rule, Israel needed someone to restore order and stop idolatry. Tola worked to fix the problems caused by Abimelech and to heal the nation. He was from the tribe of Issachar, which was known for hard work and serving others (he bowed his shoulder to bear, Genesis 49:14-15 ). Even though Issachar was not usually a leading tribe, God raised Tola to this position. He lived in Mount Ephraim, a central location so people could come to him for judgment.

v. 2: Tola judged Israel for twenty-three years. During his rule, he kept peace and good order. Although nothing especially memorable happened, his leadership was important for keeping Israel stable .

v. 3: After Tola, Jair from Gilead became judge. Gilead was a region on the other side of the Jordan River, part of the tribe of Manasseh. This shows that God sometimes chose leaders from places far from the center, giving honor to all parts of Israel. Jair shared a name with a famous ancestor who had helped conquer that area in Moses’s time (Numbers 32:41; Joshua 13:30 ).

v. 4: Jair had thirty sons. They each rode on a donkey colt, which means they were important men—like judges or rulers who traveled around to help their father with justice. Each son had his own city, called the villages of Jair. Even though these places were called villages, the sons treated them like cities, improving and enjoying them. This shows that even small towns can be important if people are content and do their best (Judges 10:4 ).

Israel Oppressed by the AmmonitesAfter the peaceful leadership of Tola and Jair, Israel returned to their old sin of idolatry. They abandoned the Lord

v. 7: Because of their sin, God became angry with Israel and allowed them to fall into the hands of their enemies. He "sold" them into the power of the Philistines and Ammonites, who oppressed them severely . This punishment was a direct result of their disobedience and idolatry. God's warnings in the law were coming true (Deuteronomy 28:25 ).

v. 8: The oppression lasted for eighteen years, especially affecting the Israelites living in Gilead, the region east of the Jordan River. These tribes were referred to as living in the land of the Amorites, a reminder of how Israel had become like the pagan nations around them (Judges 10:8; Ezekiel 16:3 ). This long period of suffering shows how their sin led to prolonged consequences.

v. 9: The Ammonites eventually crossed the Jordan River and attacked the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. These were some of the most prominent tribes of Israel, yet they were powerless to stop the invaders because they had forsaken God. This fulfilled God's warning that Israel would be unable to stand before their enemies if they turned away from Him (Leviticus 26:17 ). Their disobedience and idolatry had brought them to this distressing situation.

The Repentance and Reformation of IsraelThis section describes how Israel finally realizes their sin and calls out to the Lord

v. 11–12: God replies by reminding them how many times He has saved them before—from Egypt, the Amorites, Ammon, the Philistines, and others (Judges 10:11-12 ). God’s help in the past should have made Israel loyal, but instead, they turned away after each rescue. God’s words are meant to show them their deep ingratitude and to encourage true repentance.

v. 13: God says, Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will deliver you no more . This is a warning that continued disobedience will lead to abandonment. It teaches us that simply admitting sin is not enough—real change must follow.

v. 14: God tells them, Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you . He wants them to see that idols are powerless to save. True repentance means realizing that nothing else but God can help us.

v. 15: The Israelites respond with deeper humility. They say, We have sinned: do to us whatever seems good to you; only deliver us, we pray, this day . They accept God’s justice, but also plead for His mercy. This shows they are truly sorry and trust God, even if He punishes them.

v. 16: Israel proves their repentance by action. They put away the foreign gods and serve the Lord

v. 17–18: With their hearts changed, Israel gathers together to face the Ammonites. The Ammonites prepare for battle, and the Israelites also assemble and look for a leader to command them (Judges 10:17-18 ). This time, their unity and search for the right leader show that they are ready for God’s help. God is about to deliver Israel, responding to their true repentance.