Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 10:18
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.
18. the people, the princes of Gilead, said ] The apposition is unusually harsh; perhaps the princes of Gilead was inserted on the strength of Jdg 11:5-11, where the elders of G. are the persons concerned with looking out for a leader.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the people and princes … – The inhabitants of Gilead appear as a separate and independent community, electing their own chief, without any reference to the West-Jordanic tribes.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. What man is he that will begin to fight] It appears that, although the spirit of patriotism had excited the people at large to come forward against their enemies, yet they had no general, none to lead them forth to battle. God, however, who had accepted their sincere repentance, raised them up an able captain in the person of Jephthah; and in him the suffrages of the people were concentrated, as we shall see in the following chapter.
In those ancient times much depended on the onset; a war was generally terminated in one battle, the first impression was therefore of great consequence, and it required a person skillful, valorous, and strong, to head the attack. Jephthah was a person in whom all these qualifications appear to have met. When God purposes to deliver, he, in the course of his providence, will find out, employ, and direct the proper means.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another,…. Being thus assembled and encamped:
what man is he that will begin to fight with the children of Ammon? for though the forces were assembled together for battle, yet it seems they had no general to command them, and lead them on to it:
he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead, this they ordered to be proclaimed, to encourage some person to take the command of them, and go before them to battle, promising him that he should be judge or governor over all the tribes on that side Jordan.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(18) The people and princes.There is no and in the original; but it cannot be a case of apposition, because the term people is never applied to princes.
Head.Comp. Jdg. 11:11.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. The people and princes of Gilead The English version adds and, but it should be omitted. Princes is in apposition with people. The people spoke on this occasion in the persons of their representatives, the princes or chief men. The people of Gilead here means the Israelitish tribes that dwelt in Gilead.
What man is he The object of Israel’s gathering at Mizpeh evidently was to choose a leader, and to prepare to defend themselves against their oppressors. The gathering of the Ammonites in Gilead (Jdg 10:17) prompted to this. Far down the slopes of Gilead, plainly visible from Mizpeh, were the camps of the enemy, all ready, apparently, to proceed to battle. That gathering of the hated foe seemed ominous of further oppressions and woes, and, exasperated over past and present afflictions, they resolved to fight against the children of Ammon. The result of that conflict is brought out in the next chapter.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And the people, the princes of Gilead, said to one another, “What man is he who will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.’
At this stage they had no judge over them so that having gathered for battle they had no warleader. It is, however, significant that the writer makes clear that they did not look for the answer from Yahweh. Instead they surveyed their own resources. Whoever would take over the responsibility, and was acceptable, would be made their ‘head’. But they could only think of one who was suitable and he was not available. Perhaps that is why they did not seek Yahweh’s advice, for they knew that this man could not be Yahweh’s choice. For he was the bastard child of a wanton woman, probably a prostitute. They were not aware that in spite of all he had a deep faith in Yahweh.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
REFLECTIONS
PAUSE, my soul! over the perusal of this chapter, and behold once more a renewed instance of human corruption, and divine grace triumphing over it, in the richest display of that glorious testimony; that where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound; that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.
But chiefly my soul, remark in this chapter, what is said of his unequalled love, and tender sympathy with his people; whose soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. Yes! dearest Jesus, here I fully recognize thee! It is Jesus’ soul that was grieved. It is the same, of whom it is said, that in all their affliction he was afflicted. In his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit. Oh! sweet and precious view of the humanity of Jesus! Sweet and precious evidence, that he hath indeed taken our nature upon him! Sweet and precious assurance of his being the same Jesus, yesterday, and today, and forever: when, in an age so long before his incarnation, and the eternal purposes of salvation came to be fulfilled, Jesus’ soul participated in the miseries of his people. And shall not my soul find a growing confidence in this unequalled view of his love? Shall I not rest assured, that if my adored Redeemer took a part, and so decided a part in the sorrows of his people, before redemption-work was finished; will he not now feel an interest, and concern in all that relates to them? Did the Son of God indeed come down from heaven; did he leave the bosom of the Father, and tabernacle in substance of our flesh, on purpose to accomplish salvation; and was his soul grieved for those miseries he came to do away; and will he now relax in his regard, and overlook the miseries of his Israel, when he is exalted at the right hand of the Father, and all power is His in heaven and earth? Will not Jesus, of whom it is said, having loved his own which are in the world, he loveth them unto the end; will he not commiserate our distresses, soften their asperity, and overrule them to his own glory, and his people’s welfare? Oh! thou dear Redeemer! convinced as my soul is, that amidst all the hallelujah’s of the blessed, the care of thy church below, attracts thy unceasing concern; nor can all the , joys of heaven cause thee to remit one moment thy participating in all the circumstances of the humblest and poorest of thy tried family: may my soul feel the Spirit ‘ s constraining influence in drawing me nearer to the view, and to the enjoyment of thee my God and Saviour; till from conducting me through all troubles, and sympathizing with me in all needful afflictions, thou shalt bring me safe to that blessed place, where as the Lamb in the midst of the throne, thou feedest thy redeemed, leadest them to living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 10:18 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.
Ver. 18. That will begin to fight. ] That will be our leader in this expedition. They were not here, as in Alcibiades’s army, all leaders, no learners. They wanted one that would give the onset, and do some noble exploit against the enemy, promising to give him the principality of Gilead. Militaribus praemiis virtus excitatur. a
a Lavat.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
What man: Jdg 1:1, Jdg 11:5-8, Isa 3:1-8, Isa 34:12
he shall be: Jdg 11:11, Jdg 12:7, 1Sa 17:25
Reciprocal: Gen 31:21 – Gilead Jdg 8:23 – I will Jdg 11:8 – we turn