Judges 12:1-15, NLT
Judges 12
Ephraim Fights with Jephthah
1Then the people of Ephraim mobilized an army and crossed over the Jordan River to Zaphon. They sent this message to Jephthah: “Why didn’t you call for us to help you fight against the Ammonites? We are going to burn down your house with you in it!”
2Jephthah replied, “I summoned you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come! You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon.
4The people of Ephraim responded, “You men of Gilead are nothing more than fugitives from Ephraim and Manasseh.” So Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and attacked the men of Ephraim and defeated them.
5Jephthah captured the shallow crossings of the Jordan River, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim tried to go back across, the men of Gilead would challenge him. “Are you a member of the tribe of Ephraim?” they would ask. If the man said, “No, I’m not,”
7Jephthah judged Israel for six years. When he died, he was buried in one of the towns of Gilead.
Ibzan Becomes Israel’s Judge
8After Jephthah died, Ibzan from Bethlehem judged Israel.
Elon Becomes Israel’s Judge
11After Ibzan died, Elon from the tribe of Zebulun judged Israel for ten years.
Abdon Becomes Israel’s Judge
13After Elon died, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, judged Israel.