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

Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing of it:

the five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath.

They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by Moses.

The children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

and they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods.

The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.

Israel Delivered by Othniel

Therefore the LORD’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years.

When the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.

The Spirit of the LORD came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim.

The land had rest forty years. Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

Ehud Delivers Israel from Moab

The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and struck Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees.

The children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he wore it under his clothing on his right thigh.

He offered the tribute to Eglon king of Moab: now Eglon was a very fat man.

When he had made an end of offering the tribute, he sent away the people who bore the tribute.

But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret errand to you, king.” The king said, “Keep silence!” All who stood by him went out from him.

Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God to you.” He arose out of his seat.

Ehud put out his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his body:

and the handle also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn’t draw the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.

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

Now when he was gone out, his servants came; and they saw, and behold, the doors of the upper room were locked; and they said, “Surely he is covering his feet in the upper room.”

They waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he didn’t open the doors of the upper room: therefore they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.

Ehud escaped while they waited, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped to Seirah.

When he had come, he blew a shofar in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he before them.

He said to them, “Follow me; for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” They followed him, and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and didn’t allow any man to pass over.

They struck of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, every lusty man, and every man of valor; and there escaped not a man.

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. The land had rest eighty years.

The Deliverance of Shamgar

After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also saved Israel.

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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