“But they cried to Adonai and said, ‘We sinned by abandoning Adonai and serving the ba‘alim and ‘ashtarot. But now, if you rescue us from the power of our enemies, we will serve you.’ So Adonai sent Yeruba‘al, B’dan, Yiftach and Sh’mu’el and rescued you from the power of our enemies on every side, and you lived securely.”-1 Samuel 12:10-11
The era of the Judges was the period the current generation of Hebrews was born into.
Unfortunately, this era was known for its backsliding and apostasy.
In retelling the tale of how current Israel came to be, Samuel begins by picking four heroes who had delivered Israel from their gentile oppressors.
Every one of them were Judges.
Samuel starts off by mentioning Yeruba’al.
Recall that Yeruba’al was Gideon’s nickname that his father gave him.
Next, Samuel mentions Jephthah.
This judge was successful in delivering Israel from Ammon…
But he will go down in history as the man who killed and sacrificed his own daughter as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord.
Since the Ammonites were the same enemy that Saul had just defeated, we can see why Samuel chose Jephthah as one of the four judges to be highlighted as a hero of Israel.
The next name “Bedan” is a mysterious one.
This name doesn’t appear anywhere in the Bible or in Hebrew tradition or lore.
So many scholars consider this to be a copyist error that has been handed down over the centuries.
One proposed solution is that the actual name is BARAK since he was the one who battled against and beat Sisra and the King of Hatzor.
Finally, Samuel mentions himself.
Interestingly, scholars also consider this to be a copyist error because it’s argued that Samuel would’ve been too humble to toot his own horn so to speak.
Instead, scholars say Samuel was really referring to Samson because it perfectly connects with Samuel’s mention of the Philistines.
That’s a possibility I guess.
But there is actually a good reason why Samuel did indeed include himself among the heroic judges who delivered Israel over the centuries.
And that reason is…
Samuel was the most recent Judge who warred against and succeeded in defeating the Philistines.
So what’s the takeaway we can extract from all of this?
It’s actually connected to the last point about how some scholars argue that Samuel would not have mentioned himself here because it would’ve been arrogant.
Putting aside the debate whether he had really mentioned himself or Samson…
My position is…
If you have contributed to the Kingdom of God…
Like Samuel did with his many years of dedicated service…
It is NOT arrogant to let the world know what you have done…
Toot your own horn and let the world know about the love and grace of God…
And what He has done for you and your life…
And how you have responded by your selfless dedication and many good works unto the Lord.
Provided it’s true of course.
That’s exactly what Samuel was doing here.
You don’t have to be arrogant about it…
But it’s perfectly fine to give yourself credit where credit is due.
Remember Yeshua said…
“Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Now, some people might push back and say Yeshua was talking about doing the action without talking about it.
That’s not necessarily true…
Telling others about the good works you have done could also be a form of “letting your light shine before men”.
It’s called your testimony homies.
Also, consider that the Apostle Paul also spoke about his good works in his letter to the Corinthians.
I’ve copied and pasted the verses below.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
Don’t you know that those who
serve in the temple get their food
from the temple, and that those
who serve at the altar share in
what is offered on the altar?
In the same way, the Lord has
commanded that those who
preach the gospel should receive
their living from the gospel.
But I have not used any of these
rights. And I am not writing this
in the hope that you will do such
things for me, for I would rather
die than allow anyone to deprive
me of this boast. For when I preach
the gospel, I cannot boast, since
I am compelled to preach. Woe to
me if I do not preach the gospel!”
-1 Corinthians 9:13-16
Everyone of them was judges….incorrect grammar.
Everyone of them were judges..correct grammar.
Suggest someone checks your grammar before printing.
All the best to you.
Hey Judith,
Thanks for pointing that out.
What’s interesting is that the very sentence that you pointed out was grammatically incorrect, I originally had it as follows:
“Every one of them were judges.”
But Grammarly kept pointing it out as incorrect…
Even now as I just typed this, Grammarly is telling me it should be “was” and not “were”…
Even though my native ear is telling me otherwise…
It’s not me. It’s the machine.
I think the lesson here is to trust my native ear even if the grammar software I have installed says otherwise.
Be blessed.