The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
The "minor judges" filled the same role in Israel as the "major judges" (Gideon, Samson, et al.). [Note: See Theodore E. Mullen Jr., "The ’Minor Judges’: Some Literary and Historical Considerations," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 44 (April 1982):185-201.] The commentators vary concerning whom they regard as major (primary) and minor (secondary) judges. Wood, for example, listed only Shamgar, Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon as minor judges. [Note: Wood, p. 7.] 