Judges 3:25

KJV

And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened [them]: and, behold, their lord [was] fallen down dead on the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they tarried {H2342} till they were ashamed {H954}: and, behold, he opened {H6605} not the doors {H1817} of the parlour {H5944}; therefore they took {H3947} a key {H4668}, and opened {H6605} them: and, behold, their lord {H113} was fallen down {H5307} dead {H4191} on the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

So they waited until they became worried and saw that he had still not opened the doors of the upper room. Then they took the key and opened the doors—and there was their lord lying dead on the floor.

American Standard Version

And they tarried till they were ashamed; and, behold, he opened not 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:25 vividly depicts the escalating tension and eventual horrifying discovery by King Eglon's servants, who, after a prolonged and increasingly perplexed wait, finally open the private chamber to find their Moabite lord lying dead. This pivotal moment not only confirms the success of Ehud's audacious assassination but also sets the stage for Israel's dramatic deliverance from eighteen years of Moabite oppression, marking the immediate aftermath of divine judgment executed through an unlikely deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic assassination of King Eglon by Ehud, the left-handed Benjamite judge. In [Judges 3:23](/judges/3-23 "Judges 3:23 - Ehud Locks the Doors"), Ehud secures the doors of Eglon's private chamber after plunging his sword into the king, then escapes through the porch. [Judges 3:24](/judges/3-24 "Judges 3:24 - Servants Wait for Eglon") describes the servants' initial reaction: assuming Eglon was "covering his feet" (a euphemism for relieving himself), they patiently waited outside. Judges 3:25 captures the critical transition from patient waiting to growing suspicion and, finally, the shocking revelation of Eglon's demise, which then propels the narrative towards Ehud's rallying of Israel and their subsequent victory over Moab, as detailed in [Judges 3:26-30](/judges/3-26 "Judges 3:26-30 - Ehud Rallies Israel and Defeats Moab").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Israel was under the oppressive rule of King Eglon of Moab for eighteen years, a period of hardship that prompted their cry to God ([Judges 3:14](/judges/3-14 "Judges 3:14 - Eighteen Years of Moabite Oppression")). The setting is Eglon's "parlour" or "upper room," a common feature in ancient Near Eastern homes, often serving as a private, secluded, and cooler space, ideal for personal reflection or private meetings. The servants' prolonged wait reflects the cultural etiquette of respecting a king's privacy, especially when he was believed to be attending to personal needs. Their hesitation to disturb Eglon, even as time stretched on, underscores the reverence and fear associated with approaching a monarch, inadvertently providing Ehud with crucial time to make his escape and prepare for the next phase of his mission.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 3:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Divine Judgment and Deliverance**, demonstrating God's active intervention in human affairs to punish oppressors and deliver His people from bondage, a recurring cycle in Judges ([Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - God Raises Up Ehud")). The verse also emphasizes **The Unveiling of Truth and Divine Timing**; though Eglon's death was initially concealed, its eventual discovery was inevitable and perfectly timed to allow Ehud's escape and the subsequent mobilization of Israel. Furthermore, it starkly illustrates **The Fragility and Folly of Earthly Power** when it opposes God's will. Eglon, a powerful king, met an inglorious end in his private chamber, a testament to the ultimate futility of worldly authority against the sovereign purposes of God, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Psalm 2:4](/psalms/2-4 "Psalm 2:4 - God Laughs at the Kings of the Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tarried (Hebrew, _məḥakkîm_):** This word implies a patient, expectant waiting, often with a sense of lingering or holding back. In this context, it describes the servants' initial respectful patience, which gradually transforms into perplexity and concern as Eglon's absence extends beyond what is normal, creating dramatic tension.
* **ashamed (Hebrew, _bôš_):** While "ashamed" can imply embarrassment, here it carries a broader sense of being confused, perplexed, or put to shame by the situation. The servants are not merely embarrassed; they are at a loss, bewildered by the king's prolonged silence and the unusual circumstances, which eventually compels them to act despite their reluctance.
* **parlour (Hebrew, _ʿǎliyyâ_):** This term refers to an "upper room" or "roof chamber." These rooms were typically private, often secluded, and sometimes designed to be cooler, making them suitable for private use or quiet reflection. Its privacy was key to Ehud's plan, as it allowed the assassination to occur without immediate detection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they tarried till they were ashamed:"** This clause describes the servants' prolonged and respectful wait outside the locked chamber. Their initial patience, based on the assumption that Eglon was relieving himself, gives way to a growing sense of bewilderment and perhaps even a feeling of being disgraced or made fools of by the king's unusual delay. This escalating tension builds suspense for the reader.
* **"and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour;"** This phrase emphasizes the king's continued silence and the unyielding nature of the locked doors. The repetition of "behold" draws attention to the abnormal situation, highlighting the servants' increasing alarm as their expectations are defied. The "parlour" (upper room) underscores the private, secluded nature of the scene.
* **"therefore they took a key, and opened [them]:"** Driven by their perplexity and concern, the servants finally overcome their reluctance to disturb the king. This action marks a critical turning point, indicating that the situation has become so abnormal that it overrides their ingrained respect for royal privacy. The act of taking a key and opening the doors is decisive and irreversible.
* **"and, behold, their lord [was] fallen down dead on the earth."** The final clause delivers the shocking revelation. The second "behold" emphasizes the sudden, horrifying discovery. Eglon's position—"fallen down dead on the earth"—conveys the finality and ignominy of his demise, a stark contrast to his former power and authority. This discovery confirms Ehud's success and sets the stage for Israel's liberation.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:25 is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows Eglon is dead while his servants remain oblivious, patiently waiting for a king who will never emerge. This creates a palpable sense of **Suspense** as the narrative prolongs the moment of discovery, building tension with each passing moment of the servants' deliberation. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the delayed discovery of Eglon's death implicitly allows Ehud ample time to escape and rally the Israelite forces, hinting at the larger victory to come. The repeated use of "behold" (Hebrew, _hinneh_) serves as an **Exclamatory Marker**, drawing the reader's attention to the significant and surprising events unfolding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:25 is a powerful testament to God's sovereign hand in history, demonstrating that His purposes cannot be thwarted by human power or schemes. The delay in discovering Eglon's body, though seemingly a minor detail, was divinely orchestrated to ensure Ehud's safe escape and the successful mobilization of Israel. This narrative underscores the theme that God works through unexpected means and in His perfect timing to bring about justice and deliverance for His people. It reminds us that even when evil seems entrenched and powerful, God remains ultimately in control, capable of overturning oppressive regimes and bringing light to hidden darkness. The ignominious end of Eglon serves as a stark warning against defying the Lord and oppressing His chosen ones, reinforcing the principle that divine judgment will ultimately prevail.

* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall Into Their Own Pit")
* [Proverbs 11:21](/proverbs/11-21 "Proverbs 11:21 - The Wicked Will Not Go Unpunished")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Judges 3:25 invites us to reflect on the nature of divine timing and the ultimate futility of human power when it opposes God's will. Just as Eglon's servants waited in confusion, we often find ourselves in periods of uncertainty or delayed resolution, wondering why God is not acting immediately. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing, recognizing that what appears to be a delay may, in fact, be a crucial part of His larger, redemptive plan, allowing for the necessary conditions for deliverance or revelation to unfold. It also serves as a powerful reminder that no earthly authority, however mighty, can stand against the sovereign purposes of the Almighty. For believers, this narrative reinforces the assurance that God hears the cries of His people and will bring justice and freedom, even if the process is not immediately clear or unfolds in unexpected ways. We are called to patiently wait on the Lord, discerning His hand even in moments of apparent stagnation, and to never underestimate His capacity to bring about dramatic change through seemingly small or unconventional means.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the servants' "shame" or perplexity resonate with times when we feel confused or embarrassed by God's apparent silence or delay in our lives?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently waiting for God to "open the doors" or reveal His plan? How can this passage encourage your patience?**
* **What does Eglon's swift and private demise teach us about the ultimate fragility of earthly power and the sovereignty of God?**
* **How can we apply the principle of trusting God's timing to our prayers for justice or deliverance in the world today?**

### FAQ

**What does "tarried till they were ashamed" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "tarried till they were ashamed" (KJV) translates the Hebrew _məḥakkîm ʿad-bōš_, which signifies more than simple embarrassment. It conveys a deep sense of perplexity, confusion, or being put to shame by the prolonged and inexplicable delay. The servants were not just mildly inconvenienced; they were increasingly bewildered and perhaps felt foolish or dishonored by their king's unusually long absence and silence. This growing sense of bewilderment eventually compelled them to overcome their cultural deference and investigate, leading to the shocking discovery in [Judges 3:25](/judges/3-25 "Judges 3:25 - The Servants Discover Eglon's Body").

**Why did the servants wait so long before opening the door?**

Answer: The servants waited due to a combination of cultural etiquette and a specific assumption. As mentioned in [Judges 3:24](/judges/3-24 "Judges 3:24 - Servants Wait for Eglon"), they believed King Eglon was "covering his feet," a common euphemism for relieving himself. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, it was considered highly disrespectful to disturb a king, especially when he was attending to private matters. Their initial patience was born of this respect and the assumption of a natural, albeit prolonged, bodily function. The delay, however, became so excessive that it eventually overrode their deference, leading to their investigation. This extended waiting period was providentially crucial for Ehud's escape and the subsequent mobilization of Israel.

**What was the "parlour" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "parlour" (Hebrew _ʿǎliyyâ_) refers to an "upper room" or "roof chamber." These were common architectural features in ancient houses, often built on the flat roof or as an elevated room. They were typically private, secluded, and often designed to be cooler than the main living areas, making them suitable for personal use, quiet reflection, or private meetings. In Eglon's case, it served as a private retreat where he could receive Ehud without immediate witnesses, inadvertently becoming the scene of his assassination.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 3:25, though a narrative of a violent political assassination, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over the spiritual forces of darkness and the power of death. Just as Ehud, an unlikely deliverer, penetrated the inner chamber of an oppressive king to bring about Israel's liberation, so Christ, the true and ultimate deliverer, entered the domain of sin and death. His death on the cross was not a defeat but a decisive blow to the spiritual oppressor, Satan, who held humanity in bondage. The "locked doors" and "delayed discovery" in Judges 3:25 parallel the initial apparent triumph of death over Christ, as He lay in the tomb. However, just as Eglon's death was a hidden reality that would soon be revealed, Christ's victory over death was a hidden reality that culminated in His glorious resurrection. The "key" that opened Eglon's chamber foreshadows Christ's ultimate authority, who holds the "keys of death and Hades" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")), and delivered those who were held in slavery by their fear of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). Thus, the physical deliverance of Israel from Moabite oppression through Ehud's act points forward to the spiritual deliverance and eternal freedom that Christ offers to all who believe in Him, establishing a peace far greater and more enduring than the eighty years of peace in Judges ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - Freedom in Christ")).

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.