In this chapter a civil war broke out between the Gileadites and the Ephraimites. It started because the Ephraimites were angry at not having been called to join the fight against the Ammonites. Probably they felt the lack of prestige and missed out on the bounty! The ensuing battle saw a great defeat of the Ephraimites with the loss of 42,000 men! The victorious Jephthah remained strong and led Israel for 6 years.
Following Jephthah the next judge of Israel, the 10th, was Ibzan of Bethlehem who had 30 sons and 30 daughters and who ruled for 7 years. Ibzan was followed by Elon the Zebulunite who was judge for 10 years. The 12th judge was Abdon who led Israel for 8 years. He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons who all rode donkeys.
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