Judg 12:14 | KingComments | STEP | Again we can learn a lot from the meaning of the names. Abdon means ‘service’, Hillel ‘song of praise’ and Pirathon ‘freedom’, ‘princely’, ‘summit’ or ‘retribution’. If the service of an overseer comes from a heart full of praise and can be exercised in freedom , this is a benefit for the church. Such an overseer or leader will do his job with joy. Much depends on the believers among whom he does his service. It should not be made difficult for him. Here is the admonition: “Obey your leaders and submit [to them], for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” ( ). For example, in each local church there is an interaction between the overseers or leaders and those who are being led. If an overseer can do his work well, his (spiritual) sons and grandsons will continue the service and praise of their (spiritual) father and grandfather. Elderly and young people follow him. This also applies to the third generation, which is usually the generation that leaves. The secret of his success is revealed by his victory over the Amalekites. He has conquered a piece of land from them during his lifetime. Amalek is a picture of the flesh. Abdon shows us the picture of a person who in practice has done the following: “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” ( ). Abdon’s grave becomes a monument of this. Abdon has made his way up, in the mountains, by his victory over the flesh, of which the Amalekites are a picture. On his grave could be written: ‘He has conquered the flesh’.

‏ Judges 12:14

Abdon

Again we can learn a lot from the meaning of the names. Abdon means ‘service’, Hillel ‘song of praise’ and Pirathon ‘freedom’, ‘princely’, ‘summit’ or ‘retribution’. If the service of an overseer comes from a heart full of praise and can be exercised in freedom, this is a benefit for the church. Such an overseer or leader will do his job with joy.

Much depends on the believers among whom he does his service. It should not be made difficult for him. Here is the admonition: “Obey your leaders and submit [to them], for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Heb 13:17). For example, in each local church there is an interaction between the overseers or leaders and those who are being led.

If an overseer can do his work well, his (spiritual) sons and grandsons will continue the service and praise of their (spiritual) father and grandfather. Elderly and young people follow him. This also applies to the third generation, which is usually the generation that leaves.

The secret of his success is revealed by his victory over the Amalekites. He has conquered a piece of land from them during his lifetime. Amalek is a picture of the flesh. Abdon shows us the picture of a person who in practice has done the following: “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24).

Abdon’s grave becomes a monument of this. Abdon has made his way up, in the mountains, by his victory over the flesh, of which the Amalekites are a picture. On his grave could be written: ‘He has conquered the flesh’.