Judges 3:20,21

Does the Bible approve of assassinations?

PROBLEM: The Bible says “the Lord raised up a deliverer” (Judges 3:15) for Israel over their oppressor, King Eglon of Moab. Then it records how Ehud “took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his [Eglon’s] belly” (v. 21). How can the God who forbids murder (Exodus 20:13) condone a brutal assassination like this?

SOLUTION: This incident, and others like it (cf. Judges 4:21), are a good example of the principle that “Not everything recorded in the Bible is approved by the Bible” (see Introduction). First of all, the text does not say that God approved of this evil act. It simply states that it occurred.

Second, the fact that God had “raised up” Ehud does not justify everything he did. God “raised up” Pharaoh too (cf. Romans 9:17), but God nevertheless judged Pharaoh for his sins (cf. Exodus 12).

Third, there are many sins contained in the Bible which are not condoned by it. These include Abraham’s lie (Genesis 20), David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), and Solomon’s polygamy (1 Kings 11).

Fourth, while assassinations as such are wrong, God reserves the right to life (Deuteronomy 32:39; Job 1:21). Should He desire to take a life He gives, He has the right to do so through any instrument He may desire, natural or artificial (see comments on Joshua 6:21).