Judges 3:25

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Judges 3:25 describes the tense moments following the assassination of King Eglon of Moab by Ehud, the Israelite deliverer. The verse captures the servants' growing apprehension and the eventual discovery of their fallen king, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history of deliverance.

Context

This verse immediately follows King Eglon's assassination by Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite raised by God to deliver Israel from Moabite oppression. Ehud had just plunged a dagger into Eglon in his private "parlour" or cool chamber and then locked the doors, escaping unnoticed. Eglon's servants, assuming their king was relieving himself, waited respectfully outside the locked doors. Their initial patience turned to confusion and then "shame" (a sense of embarrassment or perplexity) as Eglon remained silent for an unusually long time. The context highlights the cunning of Ehud and the unsuspecting nature of Eglon's court, setting the stage for the dramatic discovery that would lead to Israel's freedom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Deliverance: Eglon's death represents God's judgment against the oppressive Moabite rule over Israel, which had lasted eighteen years (Judges 3:14). It underscores the theme that God hears the cries of His people and raises up deliverers (Judges 3:15).
  • The Unveiling of Truth: The servants' slow discovery of Eglon's death illustrates how truth, though sometimes concealed, eventually comes to light. Their delay in opening the doors provided Ehud with ample time to escape and rally the Israelite forces.
  • The Fragility of Earthly Power: Despite his position as a powerful king, Eglon's life was abruptly ended by a single, divinely-appointed blow, demonstrating the ultimate futility of worldly authority when it stands against God's purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "parlour" translates the Hebrew word 'aliyah (עֲלִיָּה), which typically refers to an "upper room" or "roof chamber." These rooms were often private, secluded, and sometimes designed to be cooler than the main house, making them suitable for personal use or quiet reflection. The servants' assumption that Eglon was "covering his feet" (a euphemism for relieving oneself, mentioned in the preceding verse, Judges 3:24) explains their initial reluctance to disturb him, contributing to their prolonged wait and subsequent "shame" when he didn't emerge.

Reflection and Application

Judges 3:25 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign hand in history. It teaches us that while oppressors may seem secure in their power, divine justice will ultimately prevail. For believers, this narrative reinforces the assurance that God is active in delivering His people from various forms of bondage, whether spiritual or physical. The delayed discovery of Eglon's death also highlights the importance of patience and discernment; sometimes, events unfold in God's timing, allowing for His greater purposes to be achieved. This dramatic episode paved the way for eighty years of peace in Israel, a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.