Judges and Kings

Judges 12:8–10 (ESV) After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. 9 He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters he gave in marriage outside his clan, and thirty daughters he brought in from outside for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. 10 Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem.

On the surface, the judge who comes to power after Jephtath in Judges 12 seems harmless and liberal in his spirit of unity toward Israel. He brings in 30 daughters from outside his clan for his sons and gives his 30 daughters to men outside his clan in marriage.

This is no gesture of goodwill. In the ancient world, an aspiring Monarch would have formed intermarriages with other people groups to expand his power and influence. Ibzan is a wannabe king seeking to expand his rule. This small passage is a clear illustration that the judges have started to lead the people away from God's agenda and toward their own. Samson is on the horizon. The cultural corruption of Israel has a full head of steam and they are no longer content to have the unseen God of Creation as king.

Two judges later we come to Abdon. Note the text:

Judges 12:13–15 (ESV) After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. 14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel eight years. 15 Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

What's interesting about Abdon is that he may not even be a true Israelite. He is called a "Pirathonite". While he may have been an Israelite the text notes his origin from land either seized by the Amalekites in their raids against Israel or the absorption of Amalekite influence upon an area of Israel. Whatever the case, Israel is clearly forfeiting their God-given role as priestly nation and light to the world. 

Secondly, notice that Abdon seeks a multi-generational "king-like" influence over the nation. He has 40 sons and 30 grandsons ride 70 donkeys - a statement of royalty for ancient times. This again is a power-play for the judges to seek God's position as sovereign over the nation rather than their limited role as Judge. 

What is the text teaching us at this point in Judges? 

It is teaching us that we trend toward taking God's kingly role in our lives. We want to rule and reign. It was the original temptation and continues to take a great many people down a rabbit hole of self-serving idolatry. 

Genesis 3:5 (ESV) For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

The truth is we are made to have a King. The sin nature leads us to create one in our own image. The problem is we make horrible kings. We don't have the wisdom or perspective we need nor the humility to manage the knowledge we acquire. Judges is pointing us to the inevitable reality that man needs a righteous king. That king will be David in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New. He is God's king FOR YOU. He lovingly leads you, feeds you and makes you into what He wants you to be.

The best thing you can do is surrender your life to His will. Give Him control and let Him rule and reign. The one who made you is the only one fit to be Lord over you.