As in the notice about Jair in 10:4, the statement that they “rode on seventy donkeys” (12:14) may seem humorous to Westerners, but in its ancient Near Eastern context, monarchs in the Levant often rode on donkeys (see comments on 10:4 above, p. 303). Thus, like Jair’s sons, Abdon’s sons riding on donkeys is evidence of their royal-type power over their region. But, unlike Jair, Abdon has extended the control to another generation. Nevertheless, they are no more than royal wannabes—parodies of kingship.
