JUDGE IBZAN, ELON & ABDON

0. Introduction

a) The Israelites began a series of cycles of sinning, worshiping idols, being punished, crying out for help, being rescued by a judge sent from God, obeying God for a while, then falling back into idolatry. They were conquered by Syria, Moab, Canaan, Midian, Ammon, and Philistia. They even faced the threat of civil war. Just as God sent help to the people when they cried out to him, he will deliver us when we call on him.

b) Judge Ibzan
(Text: Judges 12:8-10; Years of judging: 7)

i) ⁸ After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. ⁹ He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years. ¹⁰ Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem. (Judges 12:8-10 NIV)

c) Judge Elon
(Text: Judges 12:11-12; Years of judging: 10)

 i) ¹¹ After him, Elon the Zebulunite led Israel ten years. ¹² Then Elon died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. (Judges 12:11-12 NIV)

d) Judge Abdon
(Text: Judges 12:13-15; Years of judging: 8)

i)  ¹³ After him, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, led Israel. ¹⁴ He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years. ¹⁵ Then Abdon son of Hillel died and was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites. (Judges 12:13-15 NIV)

1. What is the text all about?

a) There is little else known about these 3 judges or their importance. The large number of children and cattle are an indication of their wealth of these men.

2. Memorable act (s)

a) Judge Ibzan had 30 sons and 30 daughters.

b) Judge Elon unrecorded act (s).

c) Judge Abdon had 40 sons and 30 grandons, each of whom had his own donkey.