Judges 3:20

And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of [his] seat.

And Ehud {H164} came {H935} unto him; and he was sitting {H3427} in a summer {H4747} parlour {H5944}, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud {H164} said {H559}, I have a message {H1697} from God {H430} unto thee. And he arose {H6965} out of his seat {H3678}.

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,

Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in the coolness of his upper room. “I have a word from God for you,” Ehud said, and the king rose from his seat.

And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

Commentary

Judges 3:20 KJV describes a pivotal moment in the narrative of Ehud, the left-handed judge chosen by God to deliver Israel from Moabite oppression. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic climax of Ehud's mission.

Context

After eighteen years of subjugation under Eglon, the King of Moab (Judges 3:14), the Israelites cried out to God. In response, God raised up Ehud, a Benjamite, as their deliverer (Judges 3:15). Ehud had previously delivered tribute to Eglon, gaining familiarity with the king and his court. This verse finds Ehud returning to Eglon, having dismissed his attendants, for a private audience. The setting—a "summer parlour" or "cool upper room"—emphasizes Eglon's luxurious and isolated comfort, making him vulnerable.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: Even in seemingly desperate situations, God intervenes to save His people, often through unconventional means. This aligns with the recurring theme in Judges of God raising up judges to rescue Israel.
  • Ehud's Cunning and Strategy: Ehud's statement, "I have a message from God unto thee," is a brilliant deception. It grants him exclusive access to the king, capitalizing on the ancient world's respect for divine pronouncements.
  • The Vulnerability of Oppressors: Eglon's arrogance and sense of security in his private chamber lead to his downfall. He rises, showing reverence for the "message from God," which ironically seals his fate.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "summer parlour" translates the Hebrew word aliyah (עֲלִיָּה), which typically refers to an "upper chamber" or "roof chamber." These rooms were often built to catch breezes and provide coolness during hot weather, making them ideal for private retreats. The detail highlights Eglon's personal comfort and the intimate, secluded nature of the encounter. Ehud's declaration, "I have a message from God" (Hebrew: devar Elohim), carried immense weight. It was a potent phrase designed to command immediate and respectful attention, leading Eglon to rise from his seat as a sign of reverence.

Practical Application

This narrative reminds us that God can use unexpected individuals and methods to bring about His purposes. While Ehud's actions involve deception and violence, they are presented within the context of God's deliverance for His oppressed people in a tumultuous era. For believers today, it underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance in difficult times and trusting in His ability to provide deliverance, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. It also serves as a cautionary tale for those who oppress others, highlighting that power and comfort do not guarantee security from divine judgment, as seen in the subsequent events of Judges 3:21.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 3:15

    And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 10:7

    Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee.

  • Judges 3:19

    But he himself turned again from the quarries that [were] by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.

  • 2 Samuel 24:12

    Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three [things]; choose thee one of them, that I may [do it] unto thee.

  • Psalms 29:1

    ¶ A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

  • 2 Samuel 12:1

    ¶ And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

  • 2 Samuel 12:15

    ¶ And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
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