http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar Judges 3:1-31
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 2 Text: Judges 3:1-31, Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar 1. These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan 2. (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience): 3. the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. 4. They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses. 5. The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 6. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 7. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. 8. The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years. 9. But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. 10. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. 11. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 3 12. Once again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and because they did this evil the LORD gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13. Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. 14. The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years. 15. Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16. Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a foot and a half long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. 17. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. 18. After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way the men who had carried it. 19. At the idols near Gilgal he himself turned back and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king." The king said, "Quiet!" And all his attendants left him. 20. Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his summer palace and said, "I have a message from God for you." As the king rose from his seat, 21. Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's belly. 22. Even the handle sank in after the blade, which came out his back. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. 23. Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. 24. After he had gone, the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, "He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the house." 25. They waited to the point of embarrassment, but when he did not open the doors of the room, they took a key and unlocked them. There they saw their Lord fallen to the floor, dead.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 4 26. While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27. When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them. 28. "Follow me," he ordered, "for the LORD has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands." So they followed him down and, taking possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab, they allowed no one to cross over. 29. At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not a man escaped. 30. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years. Shamgar 31. After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel. (NIV) Commentary: Judges 3:1-7, These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience): the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses. The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. (NIV) I. Learn by Experience. 3:1-7
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 5 A. Because Israel failed to do the Lord s bidding, the peoples of the land were not eradicated. 1. Whatever wicked practices were done by them continued to a lesser degree (there were fewer of them). 2. They were continual thorns in the sides of the Israelites. B. Those who lived during the time of Joshua knew war very well, they experienced it first hand. 1. There was a generation who rose up after the generation of Joshua (2:10) who did not care (in practical terms) for what the Lord said (3:7). a. Judges 2:10, After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. (NIV) b. Judges 3:7, The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. (NIV) 2. This current generation that reaped the benefits of the work of the previous generations was now going to experience something the previous generations did not: the Lord was going to oppress them. C. Before the Lord oppressed them with the activities of threatening nations, He left them in their midst to see whether the Israelites would obey God s commands or not (3:4). 1. Israel failed.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 6 2. Israel was interested in a peaceful co-existence with the nations around them and, thus, intermingled with them to a greater degree than mere socialization, but also intermarriage (3:6). 3. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth (3:7). The Asherahs were symbols of a goddess, a sacred tree, or a carved pole set up by the altar of Baal (EBC, P. 397). Othniel Judges 3:8-11, the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses. The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan- Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years. But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died. (NIV) II. Israel s First Judge: Othniel. 3:8-11
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 7 A. Because of Israel s forsaken allegiance to the Lord, the Lord brought one from Mesopotamia to oppress them (3:8). The region from which the oppressor came is thought to be from the upper eastern Syrian area and northern Iraq. Davis said the king s name literally means doubly-wicked (p. 106). B. Because the people cried to the Lord after 8 years of oppression, the Lord raised up a deliver. 1. His name was Othniel. One gets a sense of what a judge is; he is one who delivers. In this case, one who delivers from a foreign oppressor. Joshua 15:15-20; Judges 1:12ff a. Joshua 15:15-20, From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). And Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher." Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage. One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?" She replied, "Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, clan by clan: (NIV) b. Judges 1:12, 13, And Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher." Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 8 2. Othniel was the nephew of a great warrior, Caleb, and already a great warrior himself. He was of the tribe of Judah (cf. 1:2). 3. No matter how great a warrior he might have been, it was the Lord who delivered Israel from her oppressor (1:10). a. Judges 1:2, The LORD answered, "Judah is to go; I have given the land into their hands." (NIV) b. Judges 1:10, They advanced against the Canaanites living in Hebron (formerly called Kiriath Arba) and defeated Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai. (NIV) C. There were 8 years of oppression; there was now to be 40 years of peace (1:11). Judges 3:12-30, a. Judges 1:11, From there they advanced against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). (NIV) Ehud 12. Once again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and because they did this evil the LORD gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13. Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. 14. The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 9 15. Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16. Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a foot and a half long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. 17. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. 18. After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way the men who had carried it. 19. At the idols near Gilgal he himself turned back and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king." The king said, "Quiet!" And all his attendants left him. 20. Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his summer palace and said, "I have a message from God for you." As the king rose from his seat, 21. Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's belly. 22. Even the handle sank in after the blade, which came out his back. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. 23. Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. 24. After he had gone, the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, "He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the house." 25. They waited to the point of embarrassment, but when he did not open the doors of the room, they took a key and unlocked them. There they saw their Lord fallen to the floor, dead. 26. While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27. When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them. 28. "Follow me," he ordered, "for the LORD has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands." So they followed him down and, taking
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 10 possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab, they allowed no one to cross over. 29. At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not a man escaped. 30. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years. Shamgar (NIV) III. Israel s Second Judge: Ehud. 3:12-30 A. It is difficult to know when the peace of verse 11 started to die down and when Eglon, king of Moab, started to make inroads against Israel. 1. Perhaps, what Othniel did and where he did it is not chronologically connected to the city of palms (Jericho). 2. Moab had a previous history with Israel that was not at all pleasant; as a matter of fact it would have been a dark time in their history (Numbers 22-25, 31). a. It was not really all that long ago they experienced defeat at the hands of the Israelites. b. Thus, any effort that they could muster to get back at Israel would have been welcomed. 3. Because of this, the eastern portion of Israel s boundary was left exposed mostly because the Lord was displeased with them (3:12) and when Eglon, the king of Moab, the Ammonites, and the Amalekites saw an opportunity, they took it. For 18 years the people on the eastern border (also known as the Transjordan) served Eglon. B. The Lord s chosen, Ehud, delivers the King s message.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 11 1. Ehud was of the tribe of Benjamin. He was left-handed. 2. The people in the Transjordan paid an annual tribute to their master. On this occasion, Ehud was to bring the tribute, but he was also to bring God s message to the king (3:19). 3. It has been suggested that the events in Judges 17-21 might have occurred before what we read here. Ehud had an advantage that others did not suspect would be used. 4. It was customary for warriors to have their arsenals on the left sides of their bodies for most (all?) fought with their right arm. a. It would have been easier to reach across the body to retrieve the weapon. b. Ehud was just the opposite. c. His weapon was a large dagger of about 12-18 inches. 5. The king received the tribute; shortly thereafter it was then told to him that God had a message for the king. a. By this time, Ehud dismissed his associates and returned to the king (3:19). b. When the king heard of the secrecy of the messages, he laid aside all thought of treachery s opportunity. c. Then the Lord s judgment was executed (3:21-23).
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 12 C. Ehud calls to arms the people and delivers them from the oppression of Moab. 1. The servants of Eglon thought the king was relieving himself and thus delayed any entrance into the room where the king would be. a. The euphemism of covering his feet (KJV, ASV) is generally interpreted as discharging bodily functions. b. However, Josephus says the king s servants interpreted the actions of the king as one who was sleeping (5.4.1; p. 139). 2. In any case, the delay allowed Ehud to escape what would have otherwise been certain death. 3. With Moab in confusion because their leader was dead, Josephus records, Ehud made his attack and cut off any escape routes (3:28). 4. About 10,000 of the Moabite army died. This did not take place, necessarily in one day, but during the duration of the war. 5. Ehud s victory brought 80 years of peace; the longest period of time in the book of Judges during which peace reigned. However, it is difficult to know whether this would have covered all Israel or merely a portion of Israel. Shamgar Judges 3:31, After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 13 IV. Israel s Fourth Judge: Shamgar. 3:31 A. All that is known of this man is recorded in this single verse. B. An oxgoad would have been a long wooden instrument with a bronze tip used to prod the ox to get to work. In 1 Samuel 13, we read of the Philistines removing Israel s weapons of warfare; some wonder if in the time of Shamgar this might have been occurring. C. Shamgar was a thorn in the side of the Philistines and over the period of time in his life (presumably), he killed 600 Philistines. 1. This rivals Samson. Josephus records that Shamgar died in the first year of his governorship. 2. A peculiar remark; if so, his thorn-action toward the Philistines would have been all the more extraordinary (p. 140).
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 14 Questions Judges 3:1-31 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. What happened when Israel failed to obey God? 2. What happens when we fail to obey God? 3. Contrast Joshua s generation with the generation after Joshua. 4. Did Israel s peaceful co-existence policy please God? If not, why not?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 15 5. Israel forgot the their and served the and the. Who were the Baals and the Asherah? Be thorough in your answer. 6. Tell all you can about Othniel and his enemies. 7. Who was Cushan-Rishathaim? 8. was Israel s first judge, the second and the third. 9. In what ways were Caleb and Othniel related? 10. What happens over and over in Judges? See Judges 3:12, 15.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 16 11. Tell all you can about Ehud. 12. Tell all you can about Eglon. 13. What do you know about the historic relationship of Israel and Moab? 14. What were the circumstances of Eglon s death? Why didn t his servants immediately learn of his death?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 17 15. What is another name for the City of Palms? Where was it located?_ 16. Tell all you know about Shamgar. 17. What nations were left to test Israel? 18. Why did God leave heathens in the land? Give at least two reasons._ 19. Israel among their heathen neighbors, with them, did in the of the, the their and the and the.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 18 20. This caused God s to against Israel. God delivered Israel into the hands of - of to whom Israel was subject for. 21. God raised up when Israel cried to God and he -. The land enjoyed thereafter of until. 22. Israel then did in the of the and this time God delivered them into the hands of of whose allies were the and the. They ruled over Israel for. 23. When Israel cried to God for relief he raised up, a - man from the tribe of, to deliver them. 24. How do tribute, a double-edged sword and a left-handed judge figure into this story? 25. Ehud was a fat man: How did this figure into the story?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 19 26. Ehud had a message for Eglon. What was the message? 27. How did Ehud arrange to be alone with Eglon? 28. After Ehud had killed Eglon, what facilitated his escape? 29. Explain the battle plan followed by Israel and the outcome of the battle. 30. How many Moabites were killed? How long after this battle did Israel have peace?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 20 31. After came who killed with an. He too. 32. What is an oxgoad? 33. Is it right for God s servants to kill in war?... any war? 34. How do Balak and Haman, if at all, relate to the events of verses 12-30? 35. To what extent, if at all, does God control the history of nations?