(2) He judged Israel.--The recurrence of the normal verb (to judge) shows that Tola was an honour able "Suffes," not a despot, like Abimelech. Nothing further is known about Tola.

10:1-5 Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield least variety of matter to be spoken of. Such were the days of Tola and Jair. They were humble, active, and useful men, rulers appointed of God.And he judged Israel twenty three years, and died,.... He did not take upon him to be king, as Abimelech did, but acted as a judge, in which office he continued twenty three years, and faithfully discharged it, and died in honour:

and was buried in Shamir; the place where he executed his office. It is said (t), that in the first year of Tola, the son of Puah, Priamus reigned in Troy.

(t) Juchasin, fol. 136. 1.