12:1 Ephraim verbally attacks Jephthah for not including them in the victory. The tribe of Ephraim wanted a part in the battle for the wrong reasons. Instead of wanting to be a part of God's mission, they simply wanted celebration for themselves. They want to participate out of pride rather than service to God. They even threaten to burn down Jephthah's house.
Instead of complaining and fighting, they should be celebrating God. They should be relieved and grateful. It's becoming clear as we progress through judges that this was a corrupt generation. They were so distracted, so separate from God's word.
12:2-3 Jephthah claims that Ephraim ignored him when he asked for their participation. Jephthah focuses on explaining that the Lord delivered him. No matter who participated or not, it was God who overcame on their behalf.
12:4-6 In a battle between Gilead and Ephraim, Gilead took the victory. Instead of working as children and fellow workers with God, these people were consumed by unnecessary battles against each other. Pride and anger led them rather than the righteous will of God. Nothing was accomplished.
We can see that the faith of the children of Israel was disintegrated since the days of the first covenant with God.
12:7 Jephthah judged Israel for six years.
12:8-10 Israel was then led by Izban of Bethlehem for seven years. He had sixty children.
12:11-12 Israel was then led by Elon for ten years.
12:13-15 Israel was then led by Abdon for eight years. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons.
