I include the whole of these verses, and of the reign of three judges, comprising a period of twenty-five years, within the compass of one view, not only for the sake of brevity, but because the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to have nothing more recorded of those men but that they lived, and reigned, and provided for themselves and families, and then died and were buried. Alas! is there nothing to be remarked of them, in their zeal for God? Do their histories furnish no monuments of having promoted the divine glory? Then have we nothing to record to their honour? Ibzan was born in Bethlehem. This may, as it ought to, to remind us of Jesus, being the memorable spot of Christ's birth and incarnation. So far therefore, the history of this judge of Israel furnisheth out subject for meditation. But what a deplorable state was Israel, as a people, now reduced to, that in the history of all these judges comprising a period of so many years, we hear nothing of Israel's altars, high priests, and offerings! What the prophet was commissioned to tell the church at another period, seems applicable also to this. Israel shall abide many days without sacrifice, and without ephod, and teraphim. But afterwards they shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king. Hosea 3:4-5. Precious promise then, and even before that period, though leading toward it, in the part of history we are now upon. For all the promises of God in Christ Jesus are yea, and amen. And our glorious David compriseth in himself all the promises of the Bible. The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head. Genesis 3:15 compared with Galatians 3:16 and Luke 1:72; 2 Corinthians 1:20.
Judges 12:8-15
8 And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.
9 And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.
10 Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.
11 And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.
12 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.
13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.
14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews,a that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
15 And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.