Who were Tola and Jair, and what did they do for Israel?

Tola and Jair were leaders God raised up after Abimelech’s violent rule. Tola came from the tribe of Issachar and lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. He “defended Israel” and led for twenty‑three years, helping bring stability after chaos. After him, Jair, a Gileadite, led for twenty‑two years. He had thirty sons who rode on thirty young donkeys and ruled over thirty towns called Havoth‑jair. Together, their lives show God quietly caring for His people by giving them steady leadership, even when no big miracles or famous stories are recorded about them.

Why did God let the Philistines and Ammonites oppress Israel for eighteen years?

The passage explains that Israel again did evil in God’s sight. They did not just add a few idols; they served many foreign gods and stopped serving the Lord at all. Because of this, God’s anger was hot against them, and He “sold” them into the hands of the Philistines and the children of Ammon. This means He allowed these nations to rule over them. Their oppression for eighteen years was a direct result of their choices. It showed Israel what life is like when they turn from the God who had already rescued them many times.

What does it mean that Israel cried to the Lord and confessed, “We have sinned”?

When Israel was badly crushed and distressed, they finally turned back to God and admitted, “We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.” This is more than just being sad about trouble. They name their sin plainly: leaving God and serving idols. At first, God reminds them how often He delivered them before and how they still walked away. But they keep confessing, accept whatever He decides, and then show their words are real by throwing away their foreign gods and serving Him again. Their cry is both honest confession and a return to obedience.

Why did God say, “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen”?

God’s words here are sharp on purpose. Israel had run after the gods of many nations and stopped serving the Lord. When they cried out for help, God answered by reminding them of all the times He had saved them before. Then He said, in effect, “You chose those gods, so let them save you.” This was not because He could not or would not ever forgive. It was to show them how empty their idols were and how serious their betrayal was. It pushed them to a deeper, more sincere repentance, shown when they removed their idols and submitted to God’s will.

What does it mean that God’s soul was grieved for the misery of Israel?

When the people put away their strange gods and served the Lord, the passage says that His soul was grieved for their misery. This is human language used to show God’s deep concern. It tells us God is not cold toward the suffering of His people, even when that suffering comes from their own sin. He had allowed their pain as discipline, but He was not pleased to see them crushed forever. Once they turned back to Him in a real way, His compassion was stirred, and He moved toward deliverance. It shows His justice and His mercy working together.

How does this passage show what real repentance looks like?

Real repentance in this chapter is seen in both words and actions. Israel first admits their sin clearly, saying, “We have sinned… we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.” They do not make excuses. Then they say, “Do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.” They submit themselves to God’s judgment. Finally, they prove their change of heart by putting away their foreign gods and serving the Lord again. So repentance here means honest confession, surrender to God’s right to discipline, and visible change in how they live and worship.

What does this passage teach about God’s character toward His people?

This passage shows that God takes sin seriously, but He also cares deeply for His people. He becomes angry when they leave Him for idols and allows them to feel the weight of that choice through oppression and distress. Yet He does not forget His past kindness. He reminds them how often He has rescued them, which exposes their ingratitude. When they truly turn back, confess their sin, and put away their idols, He is moved by their suffering. So we see both His justice in discipline and His mercy in being grieved by their misery and moving toward rescue.

Judg.10.1

Judges 10:1

Q: What was happening when the people of Gilead asked for a man to lead them?

After Israel repented and God was moved by their misery, the children of Ammon gathered and camped in Gilead, ready for war. In response, the Israelites came together and camped at Mizpeh. The people and leaders of Gilead then asked, “What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” They were facing a real threat and needed someone to step forward as a military leader. This question prepares the way for the next leader God will use, showing how God often works through people He raises up in times of danger.

KJV

And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

Tola

1 And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

2 And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

Jair

3 ¶ And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.

4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

5 And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

Oppression by the Philistines and Ammonites

6 ¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.

7 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

8 And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

9 Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.

10 ¶ And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

11 And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

15 ¶ And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.

18 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.