What does Judges 10:3 mean?
The first five verses of this chapter introduce two "secondary" judges. Along with examples such as Shamgar (Judges 3:31) and Elon (Judges 12:11), they are referred to as "minor" judges since so little is known about them. Even so, both held the position of "judge" over Israel. Since the writer gives them that title without dispute, it is implied God was ultimately responsible for bringing them into power during their time.After Tola ruled and then died, Jair the Gileadite became the next judge over Israel. He ruled another twenty-two years after Tola's twenty-three-year term. Jair was closely associated with his home region. Gilead was east of the Jordan River between the Jabbok River to the south and the Yarmuk River to the north. The Israelites in Gilead were part of the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Judges 10:1–5 describes a period between Abimelech's atrocities and Israel's return to serving false gods. Little information is given about the two judges who arise during this time. Tola, from Issachar, saves Israel in some way and rules for twenty-three years. Jair rules from Gilead for twenty-two years, along with his thirty sons, who rule over thirty different towns. That area of Gilead is known by a name meaning "the settlements of Jair."
Two more judges, Tola and Jair, rescue Israel for a time. Little detail is given about either. Once again, the people return to idolatry and depraved sins (Deuteronomy 12:29–31). In response, God submits His people to the Ammonites and Philistines. After eighteen years, they confess and beg for mercy. God bluntly refuses, this time. And yet, Israel shows humble repentance, getting rid of their idols. As God prepares to save the people, an army of Israelites in Gilead gathers to face an army of Ammonites. But the Israelite army lacks a leader.
