Judges3

Judges 3 details Israel's repeated cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance. The LORD left nations to test Israel, but they intermarried and served foreign gods, leading to servitude under kings like Chushanrishathaim and Eglon. In response to Israel's cries, the LORD raised up deliverers such as Othniel, who brought 40 years of rest, and Ehud, who cunningly assassinated Eglon and secured 80 years of peace. The chapter concludes with a brief mention of Shamgar's deliverance.

The Lord Tests Israel

These are the nations which ADONAI allowed to remain, in order to put to the test all the people of Isra'el who had not known any of the wars with Kena'an.

This was only so that the generations of Isra'el who had previously known nothing of war might learn about it.

These nations consisted of the five chiefs of the P'lishtim, all the Kena'ani, the Tzidoni, and the Hivi who lived in the hills of the L'vanon between Mount Ba'al-Hermon and the entrance to Hamat.

They stayed there to test whether Isra'el would pay attention to the mitzvot of ADONAI, which, through Moshe, he had ordered their ancestors to obey.

So the people of Isra'el lived among the Kena'ani, Hitti, Emori, P'rizi, Hivi and Y'vusi;

taking their daughters as their wives, giving their own daughters to their sons and serving their gods.

Thus the people of Isra'el did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, forgot ADONAI their God, and served the ba'alim and asherim.

Israel Delivered by Othniel

Therefore the anger of ADONAI blazed against Isra'el, and he gave them over into the hands of Kushan-Rish'atayim king of Aram-Naharayim; and the people of Isra'el served Kushan-Rish'atayim eight years.

But when the people of Isra'el cried out to ADONAI, ADONAI raised up a savior for the people of Isra'el; and he rescued them; this was 'Otni'el, the son of Kalev's younger brother K'naz.

The spirit of ADONAI came upon him, and he judged Isra'el. Then he went out to war, and ADONAI gave Kushan-Rish'atayim king of Aram into his hands; his power prevailed against Kushan-Rish'atayim.

So the land had rest for forty years, until 'Otni'el the son of K'naz died.

Ehud Delivers Israel from Moab

But the people of Isra'el again did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, so ADONAI strengthened 'Eglon the king of Mo'av against Isra'el, because they had done what was evil from ADONAI's perspective.

In confederation with the people of 'Amon and 'Amalek, 'Eglon went out and defeated Isra'el, capturing the City of Date-Palms;

and the people of Isra'el served 'Eglon the king of Mo'av eighteen years.

But when the people of Isra'el cried out to ADONAI, ADONAI raised up for them a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, from the tribe of Binyamin, a left-handed man. The people of Isra'el appointed him to take their tribute to 'Eglon the king of Mo'av.

Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long and strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes.

Then he presented the tribute to 'Eglon king of Mo'av. Now 'Eglon was a very fat man.

When he had finished presenting the tribute, he dismissed the people who had brought it.

But he himself, after reaching the quarries at Gilgal, went back and said, "King, I have a secret message for you." The king commanded silence, and all his attendants withdrew.

Ehud came to him; he was sitting alone by himself in his upstairs room, where it was cool. Ehud said: "I have a message from God for you." As the king arose from his seat,

Ehud reached out with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into the king's belly.

The hilt too went in after the blade, and the fat closed around the blade, for he did not draw the sword out of his belly, so that it came out behind.

Then Ehud went out onto the porch, shut the doors of the upstairs room behind him and locked them.

After Ehud had left, the king's servants came. Seeing that the doors of the upper room were locked, they said, "He must be relieving himself in the inner part of the cool room."

They waited until they became embarrassed, but he still didn't open the doors of the upstairs room. So they took the key and opened them; and there before them lay their master, dead on the ground.

But while they were delaying, Ehud escaped- he passed beyond the quarries and arrived safely in Se'irah.

Upon arrival in the hills of Efrayim, he began sounding the call on the shofar; and the people of Isra'el went down with him from the hill-country; he himself took the lead.

He said to them: "Follow me, because ADONAI has given your enemy Mo'av into your hands. They went down after him, seized the fords of the Yarden opposite Mo'av and permitted no one to cross.

On that occasion they defeated Mo'av, some ten thousand men, all tough, experienced soldiers; not one of them escaped.

Thus was Mo'av subdued that day under the power of Isra'el. Then the land had rest for eighty years.

The Deliverance of Shamgar

After Ehud came Shamgar the son of 'Anat, who killed 600 P'lishtim with an oxgoad; and he too rescued Isra'el.

Study Notes for Judges 3

Verse 1

The nations left unconquered served a dual purpose: to train the generation born after the conquest in warfare and, more importantly, to test their spiritual loyalty to the covenant promises made to Moses.

Verse 2

This verse stresses the military education aspect. The new generation needed practical experience in warfare to appreciate the necessity of relying on Yahweh for victory, as their fathers had.

Verse 4

The ultimate test was not military success but obedience. If Israel intermingled with these groups, they risked adopting their idolatry, proving they had failed the covenant test.

Verse 6

Intermarriage (covenant violation) led directly to syncretism and idolatry. By taking foreign wives, they integrated foreign gods (v. 7) into their worship, adopting Canaanite religion.

Verse 7

Baalim refers to various local manifestations of the Canaanite storm and fertility god, Baal. 'The groves' refers to the Asherah poles, wooden objects representing the consort goddess of Baal, Asherah.

Verse 8

The cycle begins: sin leads to divine judgment, described as God 'selling' them into servitude. Cushan-rishathaim means 'Cushan of Double Wickedness' and ruled Aram Naharaim, or Mesopotamia, indicating a distant, powerful oppressor.

Verse 9

Othniel is the first judge. He was already known for his faith (Josh 15:16-17) and was the nephew and son-in-law of Caleb. He represents the ideal of a faithful leader raised up by God.

Verse 10

The phrase 'the Spirit of the LORD came upon him' is the theological key to the Judges narrative, showing that the judge’s power and authority were divinely appointed and temporary, not hereditary.

Verse 12

The cycle repeats immediately after Othniel’s death. God 'strengthened' Eglon, meaning God allowed or empowered the oppressor to punish Israel for their renewed apostasy.

Verse 13

Eglon allied with Ammon and Amalek, demonstrating a coalition of enemies. The 'city of palm trees' is generally identified as Jericho, a strategically important location controlling access to the central hill country.

Verse 15

Ehud is described as a 'man lefthanded' (Heb. *’iṭṭēr yaḏ-yəmiynô*), literally 'restricted in his right hand.' This unique trait is crucial for the plot, allowing him to conceal his weapon effectively.

Verse 16

A cubit is about 18 inches. The placement of the dagger on the right thigh was unconventional for a right-handed person, but standard for a left-handed person, allowing him to bypass the expectation of guards searching the left side.

Verse 17

Eglon is described as 'very fat,' a detail that is significant not only for the ensuing violence but also possibly indicating his wealth, luxury, and self-indulgence.

Verse 20

Ehud uses religious deception, claiming a 'message from God' (*dāḇār ’ĕlōhîm*). Eglon, showing respect for the divine message, rose from his seat, putting himself in a vulnerable position for the attack.

Verse 22

This verse graphically emphasizes the depth of the thrust and the size of Eglon. The phrase 'the dirt came out' is often interpreted as a euphemism for excrement, showing the gruesome nature of the king's death.

Verse 24

The servants assume Eglon is 'covering his feet,' a common biblical euphemism for relieving himself. This understandable delay gives Ehud sufficient time to escape before the assassination is discovered.

Verse 28

Ehud’s strategy was brilliant: securing the fords of the Jordan River prevented the Moabite forces stationed west of the Jordan from retreating across the river and cut off any potential reinforcements from Moab proper.

Verse 31

Shamgar is a transitional figure whose brief entry suggests quick, effective action. The ox goad, a long, iron-tipped farming tool, highlights that God can use the most humble and unexpected means to deliver his people.

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Judges3

The Lord Tests Israel

Israel Delivered by Othniel

Ehud Delivers Israel from Moab

The Deliverance of Shamgar

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