Judges 3:24

KJV

When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour [were] locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.

KJV (with Strong's)

When he was gone out {H3318}, his servants {H5650} came {H935}; and when they saw {H7200} that, behold, the doors {H1817} of the parlour {H5944} were locked {H5274}, they said {H559}, Surely he covereth {H5526} his feet {H7272} in his summer {H4747} chamber {H2315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

After Ehud was gone, Eglon’s servants came in and found the doors of the upper room locked. “He must be relieving himself in the cool room,” they said.

American Standard Version

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 chamber.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:24 captures a moment of crucial dramatic irony and suspense immediately following Ehud's assassination of King Eglon of Moab. As Ehud makes his escape, Eglon's servants arrive at the king's private chamber, finding the doors locked from the inside. Their immediate and plausible assumption is that the king is privately relieving himself in his "summer chamber," a common euphemism for defecating, thereby delaying their discovery of his death and inadvertently providing Ehud with the vital time needed to flee.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal interlude of suspense and dramatic irony in the narrative of Ehud, the left-handed deliverer of Israel. It directly follows Ehud's audacious assassination of the oppressive Moabite king, Eglon, in his private upper chamber, as detailed in [Judges 3:20-23](/judges/3-20 "Judges 3:20-23 - Ehud Assassinates Eglon"). Ehud has just made his escape through the "porch" or "latrine" (depending on interpretation of the Hebrew). The locked doors and the servants' subsequent delay in discovering the king's body are absolutely critical to Ehud's successful getaway and the unfolding of God's plan for Israel's deliverance. This momentary pause builds immense tension for the reader, knowing what the servants do not, and highlights the providential timing that allows Ehud to distance himself from the scene before the grim discovery in [Judges 3:25](/judges/3-25 "Judges 3:25 - The Discovery of Eglon's Body").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Israel under Moabite oppression, specifically during the period of the Judges, where foreign powers frequently subjugated Israel due to their idolatry. King Eglon is depicted as an unusually corpulent and oppressive ruler. The "summer chamber" (Hebrew _aliyah_ or _masqer_) refers to an upper room, often a private, well-ventilated space designed for retreat during hot weather. Such rooms could also serve as private latrines or places for personal hygiene. The euphemism "covereth his feet" was a widely understood idiom in the ancient Near East for relieving oneself, as people would squat, often pulling their robes around them for privacy, thus "covering their feet." This cultural understanding makes the servants' assumption entirely plausible within their context, underscoring the realism of the narrative and the cleverness of Ehud's timing.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 3:24 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Providence and Timing** are paramount; the servants' mistaken assumption, though seemingly mundane, is divinely orchestrated to ensure Ehud's escape and the success of God's plan for deliverance, a theme seen throughout the book as God raises up deliverers like Gideon in [Judges 6](/judges/6 "Judges 6 - Gideon's Call and Deliverance"). Secondly, **Suspense and Dramatic Irony** are masterfully employed; the reader is privy to the truth of Eglon's death, while the servants remain ignorant, creating palpable tension. This literary device emphasizes the hidden nature of God's work, often unfolding through human miscalculations. Lastly, the theme of **Deliverance from Oppression** is underscored, as this delay directly facilitates the freedom of Israel from the Moabite yoke, echoing the larger narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they stray, as promised in [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1 "Deuteronomy 30:1-5 - Restoration after Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"covereth his feet" (Hebrew, _massek_ from _sakak_):** This is a well-established biblical euphemism for defecating or relieving oneself. The Hebrew verb _sakak_ literally means "to cover" or "to hedge in." In this context, it refers to the act of squatting down for privacy, often with one's garment drawn around the feet, to attend to bodily functions. The servants' assumption is entirely natural and culturally appropriate, making their delay in entering the chamber understandable and dramatically effective.
* **"parlour" / "summer chamber" (Hebrew, _aliyah_ / _masqer_):** The KJV's "parlour" translates _aliyah_, which denotes an "upper room" or "roof chamber," a common feature in ancient Near Eastern homes, often used for privacy, rest, or prayer. The phrase "summer chamber" (from _masqer_) implies a private, cool, and secluded space, ideal for retreat during hot weather. In this specific context, it strongly suggests a private latrine or a room where one might retreat for such a purpose, reinforcing the servants' plausible, though mistaken, inference about Eglon's activity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When he was gone out, his servants came;":** This clause marks Ehud's successful exit from the private chamber and the king's palace, effectively putting distance between him and the scene of the assassination. Simultaneously, it signals the arrival of Eglon's personal attendants, who would typically be waiting for his command or presence. This juxtaposition sets the stage for the impending discovery.
* **"and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour [were] locked,":** This is the critical observation. The servants find the doors to the king's private upper room securely locked from the inside. This immediately raises a question in their minds, as a king's chamber would usually be accessible or at least open upon his departure. The "behold" emphasizes the suddenness and significance of this discovery.
* **"they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.":** This final clause reveals the servants' collective interpretation of the locked door. Their assumption, based on cultural understanding of privacy and the function of such a private "summer chamber," is that King Eglon is engaged in a private bodily function. This seemingly innocuous conclusion is the linchpin of the dramatic tension, as it provides the crucial delay that allows Ehud to complete his escape and prepare for the next phase of Israel's deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:24 masterfully employs **Suspense** and **Dramatic Irony**. The suspense is built through the delay in the servants' discovery, creating tension as the reader knows Eglon is dead, but the characters do not. This ignorance on the part of the servants is the essence of **Dramatic Irony**, where the audience possesses crucial information that the characters lack, making their misinterpretation of the locked door both tragic and darkly humorous. Furthermore, the use of **Euphemism** ("covereth his feet") is a key literary choice, allowing the text to convey a sensitive action indirectly while maintaining its clarity and impact. These devices work in concert to highlight the providential nature of the events, where even human misunderstanding serves God's greater purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:24, though a brief interlude, powerfully illustrates the theme of divine providence working through human circumstances, even those marked by error or delay. The servants' mistaken assumption about Eglon's privacy, while seemingly mundane, becomes a crucial element in God's larger plan for Israel's deliverance. It demonstrates that God's purposes are not thwarted by human actions or inactions; rather, He can weave them into His perfect timing, often using the unexpected or the overlooked to achieve His will. This verse reminds us that God's sovereignty extends to the smallest details, ensuring that His chosen deliverers succeed.

* [Exodus 14:13-14](/exodus/14-13 "Exodus 14:13-14 - Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord")
* [Psalm 37:7](/psalm/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord and Wait Patiently")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly small detail in the narrative of Ehud's deliverance carries profound lessons for believers today. Judges 3:24 highlights that God's work often unfolds through unexpected means and seemingly insignificant delays. The servants' miscalculation, born of cultural assumptions, inadvertently served God's greater purpose, providing the critical window for Ehud's escape. This reminds us that God's timing is perfect, even when our circumstances seem stalled or confusing. We are called to trust in His unseen hand, knowing that He is orchestrating events for His glory and our good, even when we cannot discern the full picture. It encourages patience and faith, recognizing that what appears to be a setback or a delay might, in God's economy, be precisely what is needed for His plan to come to fruition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my assumptions about how God works in the world?**
* **In what areas of my life am I currently experiencing "delays" or "locked doors" that might, in God's providence, be serving a greater purpose?**
* **What does Judges 3:24 teach me about the importance of trusting God's timing, even when circumstances seem to defy logic or my expectations?**

### FAQ
**What does "covereth his feet" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Covereth his feet" is a well-known biblical euphemism for relieving oneself, specifically defecating. In ancient cultures, privacy for such acts was often achieved by squatting and drawing one's robes around the body, thus "covering the feet." The servants' assumption that King Eglon was engaged in this private act in his "summer chamber" (a private, often cool, upper room that could serve as a latrine or private retreat) was entirely plausible and culturally understood, which is why they delayed entering the room. This delay was crucial for Ehud's escape, as detailed in [Judges 3:23](/judges/3-23 "Judges 3:23 - Ehud's Escape").

**Why is the servants' delay so important to the story of Ehud and Eglon?**

Answer: The servants' delay in discovering Eglon's body is absolutely critical for the success of Ehud's mission and Israel's deliverance. After assassinating Eglon, Ehud needed time to escape the palace and the city of Jericho. The servants' plausible, yet mistaken, assumption that Eglon was merely relieving himself provided this vital window of time. Had they immediately forced the door or suspected foul play, Ehud's escape would have been far more difficult, if not impossible. This delay underscores the theme of divine providence, showing how God can use even human misunderstanding and mundane circumstances to achieve His redemptive purposes, as He did in raising Ehud to deliver Israel from Moabite oppression (see [Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - God Raises Ehud")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic irony and providential delay in Judges 3:24, where the servants' misunderstanding unwittingly facilitates Ehud's escape and Israel's deliverance, powerfully foreshadows the far greater, yet often misunderstood, work of Christ. Just as Ehud's "hidden" act in the private chamber led to public liberation, so too was Christ's ultimate act of deliverance, His death on the cross, initially perceived by many as a defeat or a mere execution. Yet, it was precisely through this "hidden" and humble act of sacrifice that the greatest deliverance was secured—freedom from sin and death. The world, much like Eglon's servants, often fails to grasp the profound significance of God's work, especially when it unfolds in unexpected or seemingly weak ways. But God's plan, culminating in the [resurrection of Jesus Christ](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ's Resurrection for Our Justification"), was meticulously orchestrated, turning human folly and perceived failure into the ultimate victory. Christ, our true Deliverer, did not merely free us from an earthly oppressor but from the spiritual bondage of sin, granting us eternal life, a truth proclaimed in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"). The "delay" in understanding God's full plan for salvation was eventually overcome by the revelation of the Gospel, demonstrating that God's timing and methods, though often mysterious, are always perfect in accomplishing His redemptive purposes for humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 24:3

And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where [was] a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.