1 Samuel 12:11

“And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, etc.] Or Gideon, as the Targum, for Jerubbaal was the name given to Gideon, when he first became a judge, (<070632>Judges 6:32) and Bedan; if this was one of the judges, he must have two names, or is one that is not mentioned in the book of Judges; the Targum interprets it of Samson; so Jerom f229, for the word may be rendered “in Dan”; one in Dan, who was of the tribe of Dan, as Samson was; and it was in the camp of Dan the Spirit of God first came upon him; and Kimchi observes that it is the same as Bendan, the son of Dan, that is, a Danite; and though he was after Jephthah, yet is set before him, because he was a greater man than he; and this way go the…”

“Bedan--The Septuagint reads "Barak"; and for "Samuel" some versions read "Samson," which seems more natural than that the prophet should mention himself to the total omission of the greatest of the judges. (Compare Heb 11:32).”

“Bedan - No such name occurs among the Judges who delivered Israel. Some versions and commentators read “Barak,” the form of the letters of both words being in Hebrew somewhat similar. And Samuel - There is nothing improper or out of place in Samuel mentioning his own judgeship. It had supplied a remarkable instance of God’s deliverance 1 Samuel 7:12-15; and, as it was the last as well as one of the very greatest deliverances, it was natural he should do so. The passage in Hebrews 11:32 is quite as favorable to the mention of Samuel here as to that of “Samson,” which some propose to read instead of “Samuel.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Bedan - This was either Samson, as most interpreters believe, who is called Bedan; that is, in Dan, or of Dan, one of that tribe, to signify that they had no reason to distrust that God, who could raise so eminent a saviour out of so obscure a tribe: or, Jair the Gileadite, which may seem best to agree, first, with the time and order of the judges; for Jair was before Jephthah, but Samson was after him. Secondly, with other scriptures: for among the sons of a more ancient Jair, we meet with one called Bedan, Ch1 7:17, which name seems here given to Jair the judge, to distinguish him from that first Jair. Safe - So that it was no necessity, but mere wantonness, that made you desire a change.…”

“12:11 As in 12:9, this list of leaders is representative. • Bedan: Greek and Syriac versions read Barak (see Judg 4:6-24; 5:1, 12, 15). The identity of this judge remains uncertain.”

“Jerubbaal: Jdg 6:14, Jdg 6:32, Jdg 8:29, Jdg 8:35 Bedan: Bedan, whose name occurs no where else as a judge of Israel, Bp. Patrick and others suppose to be a contraction of ben Dan, "the son of Dan;" by which they suppose Samson is meant, as the Targum reads. The LXX, Syriac, and Arabic, however, instead of Bedan read Barak; and the two latter versions, instead of Samuel have Samson. These readings are adopted by Houbigant, and appear to be genuine; for it is not probable that Samuel would enumerate himself. Judg. 13:1-16:31 Jephthah: Judg. 11:1-33 Samuel: Sa1 7:13 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:12”