Judg. 3 The nations left to prove Israel mentioned, Judg. 3:1–4. The Israelites marrying their daughters, and serving their gods, they are delivered up to the king of Mesopotamia; are rescued by Othniel, Judg. 3:5–11.

i.e. Such who had no experience of those wars, nor of God’s extraordinary power and providence manifested in them.

Might know, to teach them war; that by the neighbourhood of such warlike potent enemies, they might be purged from sloth and security, and obliged to inure themselves to martial exercises, and to stand continually upon their guard, and consequently to keep close to that God whose assistance they…

Five lords of the Philistines; whereof three had been in some sort subdued, Judg. 1:18, but afterwards rescued themselves, and recovered their former strength. See Poole on “Judg. 1:18”.

To know, i.e. that they and others might know by experience.

Were drawn to idolatry by the persuasions and examples of their yoke-fellows, through the just judgment of God, punishing their sinful marriages by giving them up to idolatry.

i.e. In the groves, in which the heathens usually worshipped their Baalims or idols. Or, the groves are here put metonymically for the idols of the groves, which are distinguished here from their Baalim, which seem to have been worshipped in other places, as the prophets of Baal are distinguished…

i.e. Were made subject and tributary to him.

Cried unto the Lord, i.e. prayed fervently for deliverance. Caleb’s younger brother; of which see Poole “Judg. 1:13”.

The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, with extraordinary influences, endowing him with singular wisdom, and courage, and resolution; and stirring him up to this great undertaking. Compare Judg. 6:34, Judg. 11:29. He judged Israel, i.e.

The land had rest; either, first, It rested about forty years, or the greatest part of forty years; it being most frequent in Scripture to use numbers in such a latitude. Thus the Israelites are said to bear their iniquities forty years in the wilderness, Num.

Strengthened Eglon, by giving him courage, and power, and success against them.

i.e. Jericho, as may be gathered from Deut. 24:3, Judg. 1:16, 2 Chron. 28:15. Not the city, which was demolished, but the territory belonging to it. Here he fixed his camp, partly for the admirable fertility of that soil; and partly because of its nearness to the passage over Jordan, which was most…

A Benjamite, Heb. the son of Gemini, who was of the tribe of Benjamin, 2 Sam. 16:11, 2 Sam. 19:17, 1 Kings 2:8. This tribe was next to him and doubtless most afflicted by him; and hence God raiseth a deliverer.

A cubit length; long enough for his design, and not too long for carriage and concealment. Upon his right thigh; which was most convenient, both for the use of his left hand, and for the avoiding of suspicion.

The present was to be paid to him as a part of his tribute. A very fat man, and therefore more unwieldy and unable to ward off Ehud’s blow.

He accompanied them part of the way, and then dismissed them, and returned to Eglon alone, that so he might have more easy access to him, and privacy with him; and that he might the better make his escape.

He turned again, as if he had forgot and neglected some important business. From the quarries; either, first, Whence they hewed stones. Or, secondly, The twelve stones which Joshua set up there; by the sight whereof he was animated to his work.

They had divers houses and chambers, some for winter, others for summer. See Jer. 36:22, Amos 3:15. Which he had for himself alone; into which he used to retire himself from company; which is mentioned as the reason why his servants waited so long ere they went in to him, Judg. 3:25.

i.e. His excrements came forth, not at the wound, which closed up, but at the fundament, as is usual when persons die either a natural or violent death.

Ehud went forth, with a composed countenance and gait, without any fear; being well assured that God, who by his extraordinary call had put him upon that enterprise, would by his special providence preserve him, and carry him through it. Upon him; either upon the king, or upon or after himself.

Covereth his feet: this phrase is used only here and 1 Sam. 24:3. It is commonly understood in both places, of easing nature; because the men not then wearing breeches, as we do, but long coats, they did in that act cover their feet, as women do: but a late judicious interpreter expounds it of…

Ashamed, or, confounded, not knowing what to say or think; lest they should either disturb him, or be guilty of neglect towards him. A key; another key, it being usual in princes’ courts to have divers keys for the same door.

Doubtless he had prepared the children of Israel, and by his emissaries gathered together in considerable numbers.

The fords, where they passed over Jordan, that neither the Moabites that were got into Canaan might escape, nor any more Moabites come over Jordan to their succour.

How these are to be understood, see Poole “Judg. 3:11”. Instead of eighty, some copies read eight years.

Slew six hundred men with an ox-goad; as Samson did a thousand with the jaw-bone of an ass; both being miraculous actions, and not at all incredible to him that believes a God, who could easily give strength both to the persons and to their weapons to effect this.