The joy of Gideon’s success was stollen by Ephraim’s pride. Ephraim attacked Jeptha and lost 42 thousand men. Finally, in Isaiah 7, God announces final judgement on Ephraim because they schemed against the House of David(The Messianic Line). In all of this, God actively reached out. One such time, He interwove a Messianic message.

 “13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. 14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. 15 And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.” (Judges 12:13-15, AV)

Notice that the linage of Abdon is mentioned twice. The linage is like bread on a sandwich.

Abdon had 70 sons and nephews who road on ass colts. Jesus(He saves) sent out 70 with the good news in Luke 10. Jesus is a serving Savior; even kneeling to wash the cheesy feet of His disciples. As the suffering serving Savior entered Jerusalem, He road an ass colt. The people cried out “Hosianna”(help us now)!

Abdon = Servant

Hillel = Song of Praise

Pirathonite = Princely

A princely song of praise to the Servant who saves!

God’s Word is a tapestry woven in time. It has thousands of people in it, with the over-riding theme; We are in need and there is a Savior!