31 And after H310 him was Shamgar H8044 the son H1121 of Anath, H6067 which slew H5221 of the Philistines H6430 six H8337 hundred H3967 men H376 with an ox H1241 goad: H4451 and he also delivered H3467 Israel. H3478
And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 cried H6817 unto the LORD: H3068 for he had nine H8672 hundred H3967 chariots H7393 of iron; H1270 and twenty H6242 years H8141 he mightily H2394 oppressed H3905 the children H1121 of Israel. H3478 And Deborah, H1683 a prophetess, H5031 the wife H802 of Lapidoth, H3941 she judged H8199 Israel H3478 at that time. H6256 And she dwelt H3427 under the palm tree H8560 of Deborah H1683 between Ramah H7414 and Bethel H1008 in mount H2022 Ephraim: H669 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 came up H5927 to her for judgment. H4941 And she sent H7971 and called H7121 Barak H1301 the son H1121 of Abinoam H42 out of Kedeshnaphtali, H6943 and said H559 unto him, Hath not the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 commanded, H6680 saying, Go H3212 and draw H4900 toward mount H2022 Tabor, H8396 and take H3947 with thee ten H6235 thousand H505 men H376 of the children H1121 of Naphtali H5321 and of the children H1121 of Zebulun? H2074 And I will draw H4900 unto thee to the river H5158 Kishon H7028 Sisera, H5516 the captain H8269 of Jabin's H2985 army, H6635 with his chariots H7393 and his multitude; H1995 and I will deliver H5414 him into thine hand. H3027 And Barak H1301 said H559 unto her, If thou wilt go H3212 with me, then I will go: H1980 but if thou wilt not go H3212 with me, then I will not go. H3212 And she said, H559 I will surely H1980 go H3212 with thee: notwithstanding H657 the journey H1870 that thou takest H1980 shall not be for thine honour; H8597 for the LORD H3068 shall sell H4376 Sisera H5516 into the hand H3027 of a woman. H802 And Deborah H1683 arose, H6965 and went H3212 with Barak H1301 to Kedesh. H6943 And Barak H1301 called H2199 Zebulun H2074 and Naphtali H5321 to Kedesh; H6943 and he went up H5927 with ten H6235 thousand H505 men H376 at his feet: H7272 and Deborah H1683 went up H5927 with him. Now Heber H2268 the Kenite, H7017 which was of the children H1121 of Hobab H2246 the father in law H2859 of Moses, H4872 had severed H6504 himself from the Kenites, H7017 and pitched H5186 his tent H168 unto the plain H436 of Zaanaim, H6815 which is by Kedesh. H6943 And they shewed H5046 Sisera H5516 that Barak H1301 the son H1121 of Abinoam H42 was gone up H5927 to mount H2022 Tabor. H8396 And Sisera H5516 gathered together H2199 all his chariots, H7393 even nine H8672 hundred H3967 chariots H7393 of iron, H1270 and all the people H5971 that were with him, from Harosheth H2800 of the Gentiles H1471 unto the river H5158 of Kishon. H7028 And Deborah H1683 said H559 unto Barak, H1301 Up; H6965 for this is the day H3117 in which the LORD H3068 hath delivered H5414 Sisera H5516 into thine hand: H3027 is not the LORD H3068 gone out H3318 before H6440 thee? So Barak H1301 went down H3381 from mount H2022 Tabor, H8396 and ten H6235 thousand H505 men H376 after H310 him. And the LORD H3068 discomfited H2000 Sisera, H5516 and all his chariots, H7393 and all his host, H4264 with the edge H6310 of the sword H2719 before H6440 Barak; H1301 so that Sisera H5516 lighted down H3381 off his chariot, H4818 and fled away H5127 on his feet. H7272 But Barak H1301 pursued H7291 after H310 the chariots, H7393 and after the host, H4264 unto Harosheth H2800 of the Gentiles: H1471 and all the host H4264 of Sisera H5516 fell H5307 upon the edge H6310 of the sword; H2719 and there was not a man H259 left. H7604 Howbeit Sisera H5516 fled away H5127 on his feet H7272 to the tent H168 of Jael H3278 the wife H802 of Heber H2268 the Kenite: H7017 for there was peace H7965 between Jabin H2985 the king H4428 of Hazor H2674 and the house H1004 of Heber H2268 the Kenite. H7017 And Jael H3278 went out H3318 to meet H7125 Sisera, H5516 and said H559 unto him, Turn in, H5493 my lord, H113 turn in H5493 to me; fear H3372 not. And when he had turned in H5493 unto her into the tent, H168 she covered H3680 him with a mantle. H8063 And he said H559 unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little H4592 water H4325 to drink; H8248 for I am thirsty. H6770 And she opened H6605 a bottle H4997 of milk, H2461 and gave him drink, H8248 and covered H3680 him. Again he said H559 unto her, Stand in H5975 the door H6607 of the tent, H168 and it shall be, when any man H376 doth come H935 and enquire H7592 of thee, and say, H559 Is there H3426 any man H376 here? H3426 that thou shalt say, H559 No. Then Jael H3278 Heber's H2268 wife H802 took H3947 a nail H3489 of the tent, H168 and took H7760 an hammer H4718 in her hand, H3027 and went H935 softly H3814 unto him, and smote H8628 the nail H3489 into his temples, H7541 and fastened H6795 it into the ground: H776 for he was fast asleep H7290 and weary. H5774 So he died. H4191 And, behold, as Barak H1301 pursued H7291 Sisera, H5516 Jael H3278 came out H3318 to meet H7125 him, and said H559 unto him, Come, H3212 and I will shew H7200 thee the man H376 whom thou seekest. H1245 And when he came H935 into her tent, behold, Sisera H5516 lay H5307 dead, H4191 and the nail H3489 was in his temples. H7541 So God H430 subdued H3665 on that day H3117 Jabin H2985 the king H4428 of Canaan H3667 before H6440 the children H1121 of Israel. H3478 And the hand H3027 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 prospered, H3212 H1980 and prevailed H7186 against Jabin H2985 the king H4428 of Canaan, H3667 until they had destroyed H3772 Jabin H2985 king H4428 of Canaan. H3667
And it came to pass in process of time, H3117 that the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 made war H3898 against Israel. H3478 And it was so, that when the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 made war H3898 against Israel, H3478 the elders H2205 of Gilead H1568 went H3212 to fetch H3947 Jephthah H3316 out of the land H776 of Tob: H2897 And they said H559 unto Jephthah, H3316 Come, H3212 and be our captain, H7101 that we may fight H3898 with the children H1121 of Ammon. H5983 And Jephthah H3316 said H559 unto the elders H2205 of Gilead, H1568 Did not ye hate H8130 me, and expel H1644 me out of my father's H1 house? H1004 and why are ye come H935 unto me now when ye are in distress? H6887 And the elders H2205 of Gilead H1568 said H559 unto Jephthah, H3316 Therefore we turn again H7725 to thee now, that thou mayest go H1980 with us, and fight H3898 against the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 and be our head H7218 over all the inhabitants H3427 of Gilead. H1568 And Jephthah H3316 said H559 unto the elders H2205 of Gilead, H1568 If ye bring me home again H7725 to fight H3898 against the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 and the LORD H3068 deliver H5414 them before H6440 me, shall I be your head? H7218 And the elders H2205 of Gilead H1568 said H559 unto Jephthah, H3316 The LORD H3068 be witness H8085 between us, if we do H6213 not so according to thy words. H1697 Then Jephthah H3316 went H3212 with the elders H2205 of Gilead, H1568 and the people H5971 made H7760 him head H7218 and captain H7101 over them: and Jephthah H3316 uttered H1696 all his words H1697 before H6440 the LORD H3068 in Mizpeh. H4709 And Jephthah H3316 sent H7971 messengers H4397 unto the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 saying, H559 What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come H935 against me to fight H3898 in my land? H776 And the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 answered H559 unto the messengers H4397 of Jephthah, H3316 Because Israel H3478 took away H3947 my land, H776 when they came up H5927 out of Egypt, H4714 from Arnon H769 even unto Jabbok, H2999 and unto Jordan: H3383 now therefore restore those lands again H7725 peaceably. H7965 And Jephthah H3316 sent H7971 messengers H4397 again H3254 unto the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon: H5983 And said H559 unto him, Thus saith H559 Jephthah, H3316 Israel H3478 took not away H3947 the land H776 of Moab, H4124 nor the land H776 of the children H1121 of Ammon: H5983 But when Israel H3478 came up H5927 from Egypt, H4714 and walked H3212 through the wilderness H4057 unto the Red H5488 sea, H3220 and came H935 to Kadesh; H6946 Then Israel H3478 sent H7971 messengers H4397 unto the king H4428 of Edom, H123 saying, H559 Let me, I pray thee, pass through H5674 thy land: H776 but the king H4428 of Edom H123 would not hearken H8085 thereto. And in like manner they sent H7971 unto the king H4428 of Moab: H4124 but he would H14 not consent: and Israel H3478 abode H3427 in Kadesh. H6946 Then they went along H3212 through the wilderness, H4057 and compassed H5437 the land H776 of Edom, H123 and the land H776 of Moab, H4124 and came H935 by the east side H4217 H8121 of the land H776 of Moab, H4124 and pitched H2583 on the other side H5676 of Arnon, H769 but came H935 not within the border H1366 of Moab: H4124 for Arnon H769 was the border H1366 of Moab. H4124 And Israel H3478 sent H7971 messengers H4397 unto Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites, H567 the king H4428 of Heshbon; H2809 and Israel H3478 said H559 unto him, Let us pass, H5674 we pray thee, through thy land H776 into H5704 my place. H4725 But Sihon H5511 trusted H539 not Israel H3478 to pass H5674 through his coast: H1366 but Sihon H5511 gathered H622 all his people H5971 together, H622 and pitched H2583 in Jahaz, H3096 and fought H3898 against Israel. H3478 And the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 delivered H5414 Sihon H5511 and all his people H5971 into the hand H3027 of Israel, H3478 and they smote H5221 them: so Israel H3478 possessed H3423 all the land H776 of the Amorites, H567 the inhabitants H3427 of that country. H776 And they possessed H3423 all the coasts H1366 of the Amorites, H567 from Arnon H769 even unto Jabbok, H2999 and from the wilderness H4057 even unto Jordan. H3383 So now the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 hath dispossessed H3423 the Amorites H567 from before H6440 his people H5971 Israel, H3478 and shouldest thou possess H3423 it? Wilt not thou possess H3423 that which Chemosh H3645 thy god H430 giveth thee to possess? H3423 So whomsoever the LORD H3068 our God H430 shall drive out H3423 from before H6440 us, them will we possess. H3423 And now art thou any thing better H2896 than Balak H1111 the son H1121 of Zippor, H6834 king H4428 of Moab? H4124 did he ever H7378 strive H7378 against Israel, H3478 or did he ever H3898 fight H3898 against them, While Israel H3478 dwelt H3427 in Heshbon H2809 and her towns, H1323 and in Aroer H6177 and her towns, H1323 and in all the cities H5892 that be along by the coasts H3027 of Arnon, H769 three H7969 hundred H3967 years? H8141 why therefore did ye not recover H5337 them within that time? H6256 Wherefore I have not sinned H2398 against thee, but thou doest H6213 H853 me wrong H7451 to war H3898 against me: the LORD H3068 the Judge H8199 be judge H8199 this day H3117 between the children H1121 of Israel H3478 and the children H1121 of Ammon. H5983 Howbeit the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 hearkened H8085 not unto the words H1697 of Jephthah H3316 which he sent H7971 him. Then the Spirit H7307 of the LORD H3068 came upon Jephthah, H3316 and he passed over H5674 Gilead, H1568 and Manasseh, H4519 and passed over H5674 Mizpeh H4708 of Gilead, H1568 and from Mizpeh H4708 of Gilead H1568 he passed over H5674 unto the children H1121 of Ammon. H5983 And Jephthah H3316 vowed H5087 a vow H5088 unto the LORD, H3068 and said, H559 If thou shalt without fail H5414 deliver H5414 the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 into mine hands, H3027 Then it shall be, that whatsoever H3318 cometh forth H3318 of the doors H1817 of my house H1004 to meet H7125 me, when I return H7725 in peace H7965 from the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 shall surely be the LORD'S, H3068 and I will offer it up H5927 for a burnt offering. H5930 So Jephthah H3316 passed over H5674 unto the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 to fight H3898 against them; and the LORD H3068 delivered H5414 them into his hands. H3027 And he smote H5221 them from Aroer, H6177 even till thou come H935 to Minnith, H4511 even twenty H6242 cities, H5892 and unto the plain H58 of the vineyards, H3754 H64 with a very H3966 great H1419 slaughter. H4347 Thus the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 were subdued H3665 before H6440 the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
Now there was no smith H2796 found H4672 throughout all the land H776 of Israel: H3478 for the Philistines H6430 said, H559 Lest the Hebrews H5680 make H6213 them swords H2719 or spears: H2595 But all the Israelites H3478 went down H3381 to the Philistines, H6430 to sharpen H3913 every man H376 his share, H4282 and his coulter, H855 and his axe, H7134 and his mattock. H4281 Yet they had a file H6477 H6310 for the mattocks, H4281 and for the coulters, H855 and for the forks, H7969 H7053 and for the axes, H7134 and to sharpen H5324 the goads. H1861 So it came to pass in the day H3117 of battle, H4421 that there was neither sword H2719 nor spear H2595 found H4672 in the hand H3027 of any of the people H5971 that were with Saul H7586 and Jonathan: H3129 but with Saul H7586 and with Jonathan H3129 his son H1121 was there found. H4672
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Judges 3
Commentary on Judges 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
Jud 3:1-4. Nations Left to Prove Israel.
1. these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel—This was the special design of these nations being left, and it evinces the direct influence of the theocracy under which the Israelites were placed. These nations were left for a double purpose: in the first instance, to be instrumental, by their inroads, in promoting the moral and spiritual discipline of the Israelites; and also to subserve the design of making them acquainted with war, in order that the young, more especially, who were total strangers to it, might learn the use of weapons and the art of wielding them.
Jud 3:5-7. By Communion with These the Israelites Commit Idolatry.
5-7. the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites—The two peoples by degrees came to be on habits of intercourse. Reciprocal alliances were formed by marriage till the Israelites, relaxing the austerity of their principles, showed a growing conformity to the manners and worship of their idolatrous neighbors.
Jud 3:8-11. Othniel Delivers Israel.
8-11. sold them—that is, "delivered them"
into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim—or, Chushan, "the wicked." This name had been probably given him from his cruel and impious character.
served Chushan-rishathaim eight years—by the payment of a stipulated tribute yearly, the raising of which must have caused a great amount of labor and privation.
9. when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord—In their distress they had recourse to earnest prayer, accompanied by humble and penitent confession of their errors.
Othniel—(See on Jos 15:16; Jud 1:13). His military experience qualified him for the work, while the gallant exploits he was known to have performed, gained him the full confidence of his countrymen in his ability as a leader.
10. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he judged Israel, and went out to war—Impelled by a supernatural influence, he undertook the difficult task of government at this national crisis—addressing himself to promote a general reformation of manners, the abolition of idolatry, and the revival of pure religion. After these preliminary measures, he collected a body of choice warriors to expel the foreign oppressors.
the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim—No details are given of this war, which, considering the resources of so potent a monarch, must have been a determined struggle. But the Israelitish arms were crowned through the blessing of God with victory, and Canaan regained its freedom and independence.
11. Othniel … died—How powerful the influence of one good man is, in church or state, is best found in his loss [Bishop Hall].
Jud 3:12-30. Ehud Slays Eglon.
12-14. the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord—The Israelites, deprived of the moral and political influences of Othniel, were not long in following their native bias to idolatry.
the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab—The reigning monarch's ambition was to recover that extensive portion of his ancient territory possessed by the Israelites. In conjunction with his neighbors, the Ammonites and the Amalekites, sworn enemies of Israel, he first subjected the eastern tribes; then crossing the Jordan, he made a sudden incursion on western Canaan, and in virtue of his conquests, erected fortifications in the territory adjoining Jericho [Josephus], to secure the frontier, and fixed his residence there. This oppressor was permitted, in the providence of God, to triumph for eighteen years.
15. Ehud the son of Gera—descended from Gera, one of Benjamin's sons (Ge 46:21).
left-handed—This peculiarity distinguished many in the Benjamite tribe (Jud 20:16). But the original word is rendered in some versions "both-handed," a view countenanced by 1Ch 12:2.
by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab—the yearly tribute, which, according to Eastern fashion, would be borne with ostentatious ceremony and offered (Jud 3:18) by several messengers.
16. Ehud made him a dagger … and he did gird it … upon his right thigh—The sword was usually worn on the left side; so that Ehud's was the more likely to escape detection.
19. quarries—rather, "graven images" (De 7:25; Jer 8:19; 51:52); statues of Moabite idols, the sight of which kindled the patriotic zeal of Ehud to avenge this public insult to Israel on its author.
I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence—"Privacy"—a signal for all to withdraw.
20. a summer parlour—Hebrew, "chamber of cooling"—one of those retired edifices which Oriental grandees usually have in their gardens, and in which they repose during the heat of the day.
21-26. Ehud put forth his left hand—The whole circumstance of this daring act—the death of Eglon without a shriek, or noise—the locking of the doors—the carrying off the key—the calm, unhurried deportment of Ehud—show the strength of his confidence that he was doing God service.
27. he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim—summoned to arms the people of that mountainous region, which, adjoining the territory of Benjamin, had probably suffered most from the grievous oppression of the Moabites.
28. they went down after him, and took the fords—(See on Jos 2:7). With the view of preventing all escape to the Moabite coast, and by the slaughter of ten thousand men [Jud 3:29], Ehud rescued his country from a state of ignominious vassalage.
31. after him was Shamgar—No notice is given of the tribe or family of this judge; and from the Philistines being the enemy that roused him into public service, the suffering seems to have been local—confined to some of the western tribes.
slew … six hundred men with an oxgoad—This instrument is eight feet long and about six inches in circumference. It is armed at the lesser end with a sharp prong for driving the cattle, and on the other with a small iron paddle for removing the clay which encumbers the plough in working. Such an instrument, wielded by a strong arm, would do no mean execution. We may suppose, however, for the notice is very fragmentary, that Shamgar was only the leader of a band of peasants, who by means of such implements of labor as they could lay hold of at the moment, achieved the heroic exploit recorded.