1. Judges 10:1–5 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What purpose might these accounts of the minor judges in 10:1–5 serve?

Judges 10:1–5 (ESV)

1 After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, and he lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.

These accounts do not mention the name of the Lord. Nor is there any notation of the spirituality of the nation in their days. But at least there is no bloodshed, only the trappings of a peaceful and prosperous life: asses and cities, children and weddings and even grandchildren. And there is continuity and stability. The judge works and lives and dies and is buried. And another judge arises and works and lives and dies and is buried.1