And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.
After Abimelech there arose, to defend Israel, Tola - i:e., to save. Deliverance was necessary as well from intestine usurpation as from foreign aggression.
The son of Puah. He was uncle to Abimelech by the father's side, and consequently brother of Gideon; yet the former was of the tribe of Issachar, while the latter was of Manasseh. They were must probably uterine brothers.
Dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. As a central place, he made it the seat of government.