18: Civil strife mars the victory (Judges 12:1 – 15)

Though they won the battle, the civil war led to even greater casualties.

Read Judges 12:1 - 15


Q1. What was the reason for the Ephraimites’ threat against Jephthah?

They complained that Jephthah didn’t call them to the war. In those days, joining battles is the fastest way of making money. 

A similar incident happened when Gideon defeated the Midiannites. That time, Gideon appeased the Ephraimites with a word of flattery. But Jephthah waged a war against the fellow Israelites. He even tried to anihilate the Ephraimites.



Q2. The anger in their hearts seemed to boost them in defeating the Ephraimites.This is why the Gileadites were upset. The (                 )had ignored the request of help from the (             ), yet now came to challenge them after the war had ended. Furthermore, the Ephraimites had (             ) the Gileadites, calling them refugees when they had fled from the oppression of the Ammonites.

The anger in their hearts seemed to boost them in defeating the Ephraimites.This is why the Gileadites were upset. The ( Ephraimites )had ignored the request of help from the ( Gileadites ), yet now came to challenge them after the war had ended. Furthermore, the Ephraimites had ( insulted ) the Gileadites, calling them refugees when they had fled from the oppression of the Ammonites.

Jephthah’s personal tragedy likely diminished any tolerance he might have had for the Ephraimites, intensifying his already strict adherence to principles.



Q3. They didn’t let the Ephraimite fugitives return home safely. They captured the fords of (                    ) and distinguished the Ephraimites by pronouncing (                ) and killed them. On that day, (                  ) Ephraimites fell dead.

They didn’t let the Ephraimite fugitives return home safely. They captured the fords of (  the Jordan River ) and distinguished the Ephraimites by pronouncing ( Shibboleth ) and killed them. On that day, ( 42,000 ) Ephraimites fell dead.

Jephthah map: Jephthah-809x1024.jpg (809×1024)


Q4. Ibzan had (           ) sons and (          ) daughters. He arranged their merriage (             ) his extended family. Abdon had (        ) sons and (            ) grandsons who rode on seventy (               ).

Ibzan had ( thirty  ) sons and ( thirty  ) daughters. He arranged their merriage ( outside  ) his extended family. Abdon had ( thirty ) sons and ( fourty  ) grandsons who rode on seventy ( donkeys  ).

Though they were not kings, they behaved like pagan kings, taking many wives and political marriage. This reflects the pagan influence within Israelite society.




Their true problem lay within their hearts: anger, intolerance, and ignorance. Yet despite all these troubles and turmoil, the wheel of Israel’s fortune continues to turn, moving forward under God’s providence.

Though they got the victory, they were unable to live in it. Likewise, we need the Holy Spirit to keep us in the victory of Jesus.


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