EVEN AS MANY OF ISRAEL ... - These words show that the writer has especially in view the generation which came to man’s estate immediately after the close of the wars with the Canaanites Joshua 23:1. Compare Judges 2:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
LORDS - Seranim, a title used exclusively of the princes of the five Philistine cities. The title is probably of Phoenician origin. Joshua appears to have smitten and subdued the Hivites as far north as Baal-Gad, in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon Joshua 11:17; Joshua 12:7, but no further J... [ Continue Reading ]
See Judges 2:2 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE GROVES - literally, Asheroth, images of Asherah (the goddess companion of Baal): see Deuteronomy 16:21 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we hold again the thread of the proper narrative, which seems as if it ought to have run thus Judges 1:1 : Now, etc. Judges 3:8, therefore (or “and”) etc. SERVED CHUSHAN-RISHATHAIM - This is the same phrase as in Judges 3:14. From it is derived the expression, “the times of servitude,” as disti... [ Continue Reading ]
Othniel was already distinguished in Joshua’s lifetime as a brave and successful leader. See Joshua 15:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM - The phrase occurs frequently in this book and in the books of Samuel and Kings. It marks the special office of the Judges. They were saviors (Judges 3:9 margin; Nehemiah 9:27) called and directed by the Holy Spirit, who endued them with extraordinary wisdom... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND - means here, as in Judges 1:2, not the whole land of Canaan, but the part concerned, probably the land of the tribe of Judah. Forty years, here and elsewhere, is (like fourscore years, Judges 3:30) a round number, perhaps equivalent to a generation.... [ Continue Reading ]
The “strengthening” Eglon was the special work of God, and because Israel “had done evil,” etc. Samuel’s comment on the event is to the same effect 1 Samuel 12:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
The children of Ammon (Bent-Ammon), almost always so spoken of from their ancestor Ben-ammi Genesis 19:38, seem to be under the leadership of the king of Moab, as do also the Amlekites: this is perhaps the strengthening spoken of in Judges 3:12. In Judges 6 the combination is Midianites, Amalekites,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CRIED UNTO THE LORD, THE LORD RAISED THEM UP A DELIVERER - The very same words as are used at Judges 3:9. See, too, Judges 2:16, Judges 2:18, and Nehemiah 9:27. Ehud “the Benjamite” was of the family or house of Gera 2 Samuel 16:5, the son of Bela, Benjamin’s first-bo... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON HIS RIGHT THIGH - The proper side for a left-handed man. It would give him the appearance of being unarmed. The narrative shows clearly that his action was premeditated Judges 3:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gilgal was in the immediate neighborhood of Jericho Judges 2:1, where doubtless Eglon held his court at this time Judges 3:13. QUARRIES - Some take the original of this word in its common meaning of carved images or idols (see the margin).... [ Continue Reading ]
Probably Ehud’s first message Judges 3:19 had been delivered to the attendants, and by them carried to the king. Now Ehud is admitted to the king’s presence, into the cool upper chamber. I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM GOD UNTO THEE - Ehud believed himself to be accomplishing the divine mandate, and so his w... [ Continue Reading ]
The King James Version and margin give different explanations of the last words of this verse. Others explain it of a vestibule or chamber, through which Ehud passed into the porch where the entrance doors were. He locked the doors, took the key with him; and then retired through the midst of the at... [ Continue Reading ]
HE COVERETH HIS FEET - Compare the marginal references. The explanation of the phrase as “taking sleep” suits both passages best.... [ Continue Reading ]
A KEY - literally, “an opener.” Probably a wooden instrument with which they either lifted up the latch within, or drew back the wooden bar or bolt. The chief officer of Eglon’s household probably had a second key (compare Isaiah 22:15, Isaiah 22:20; Isaiah 37:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
SEIRATH - “The forest” or “weald,” which evidently bordered on the cultivated plain near Gilgal, and extended into “the mountain or hill country of Ephraim.” Once there, he was safe from pursuit (compare 1 Samuel 13:6), and quickly collected a strong force of Ephraimires and probably the bordering B... [ Continue Reading ]
Ehud “went down” from the mountain of Ephraim into the Jordan valley beneath it, straight to the Jordan fords Joshua 2:7, so as to intercept all communication between the Moabites on the west side and their countrymen on the east.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND - i. e. that portion of it which had suffered from the oppression of Moab, probably Benjamin and Ephraim chiefly (see Judges 3:11). In judging of the nature of Ehud’s act there are many considerations which must greatly modify our judgment. Acts of violence or cunning, done in an age when h... [ Continue Reading ]
From this verse and Judges 5:6 we may gather that Shamgar was contemporary with Jael, and that he only procured a temporary and partial deliverance for Israel by his exploit. He may have been of the tribe of Judah. AN OX GOAD - An instrument of wood about eight feet long, armed with an iron spike or... [ Continue Reading ]