Exodus 18:13

Moses sat to judge. In ancient times a ruler, whether king, prince, or chieftain, also exercised the office of judge. Legislative, executive, and judicial powers were all vested in one individual. For several centuries preceding the monarchy the leaders of Israel were called “judges,” and their administration was referred to as “judgment.” Like these successors of Moses, the chief rulers of Carthage also bore the title of “judges.” Since the time when he was accepted as leader by the people (ch. 4:29-31), Moses, it appears, regarded himself as obligated to hear and decide all complaints that arose among his people. Thus far he had not delegated judicial authority to anyone else. This cannot have been because the idea had not occurred to him, for in Egypt a judicial system existed, with judges appointed by the king. It may be that he doubted the ability of his countrymen, who had been slaves all their lives, to serve in such a capacity. From the morning unto the evening. We do not know whether Moses was always as busy as he was upon the day after Jethro’s arrival. Commentators have conjectured that many complaints may have arisen out of the division of the spoil of the Amalekites, or that the unusual situation in which the people suddenly found themselves, upon liberation from slavery, produced more problems than would otherwise have been the case. They had lived all their lives under the rigid authority of Egyptian taskmasters, without freedom to make decisions of their own. Suddenly they had become their own masters, and must now associate together as equals. Under such circumstances smooth and harmonious community life can exist only when all abide by commonly understood and accepted rules.