Judges 3

Judges 3:1-7

In this chapter we have, 1. A general account of Israel’s enemies, ver. 1—7. 2. The brave exploits done by the three self judges. 1. Othniel, who lobbied the king of Melopotamia, ver. 8—11. 2. Ehud, who refused Israel out of the hands of the Moubites, ver. 12—20. and 3. Shanger, who signalized himself in a concourter with the Philistines, ver. 31.

4 Deut. viii. 5. Chap. ii. 6a. 6 PC Israel. 7. 7. Jaffa. xxii. 8. PC xiv. 9. 6 Deut. viii. 6. Jaffa ii. 6a. 6 Exod. xxxv. 16. Deut. vii. 6. 7 Kings xii. 2, 3.

1. NOW these are the nations which the LORD left to prove Israel by them, (even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2. Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof) 3. Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon, unto the earring in of Hamath. 4. And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. 5. And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: 6. And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 7. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

We have the sad account of Israel’s apostasy from God, by means of the Canaanites, who were left to prove them, whether they would continue faithful, and to keep the rising generation from that effeminacy which ease and affluence might produce. The five lords of the Philistines stood firm, and again recovered these three cities which had been taken. The northern Canaanites, Sidonians, and Hivites, in mount Lebanon, kept their possessions, whilst in every part of the country there continued multitudes of the devoted nations, whom Israel, those stoth and covetous, had spared, and suffered still to dwell among them. With these they soon mingled, joined in mar-

riages, and, as the consequence thereof, followed after their ideals, worshipped Baalim and the groves, the idols which were placed there, and forgot God. Nate, (1.) Corruption remains in the regenerate to prove them, and exercise their graces. (2.) A wife of the daughters of Canaan is the most dangerous share the devil can put in the way of God’s Israel. (3.) Forgetfulness of God is a besetting sin; and when He is forgotten, the reins are let loose upon the neck of every lull.

Before Christ 1216.

8. Therefore the anger of the LORD was not against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chuthan-rishathaim king of Melopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chuthan-rishathaim eight years. 9. And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war, and the LORD delivered Chuthan-rishathaim king of Melopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Chuthan-rishathaim. 11. And the land had rest forty years: and Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

the patch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them. 24. When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw, that behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he I covereth his feet in his summer-chambers. 25. And they carried till they were ashamed; and behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour: therefore they took a key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth. 26. And Ehud escaped while they carried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath. 27. And it came to pals when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. 28. And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pals over. 29. And they flew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all fully, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man. 30. So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel; and the land had rest fourfores years.

Judges 3:12-30

Far from being suitably affected with their late deliverances, after Othniel’s death, the long enjoyment of safe and affluent-plunged them again into their old Son, and provoked God to give them up to new oppression.

1. The king of Moab, who in vain, in former years, attempted to stand against them, now that God is no longer their deticter, arles to war, strengthens himself by the forces of Ammon and Amalek, and prevails against them. The Israelites, unable to resist, are every where beaten, their strong-holds taken, and the city of palm-trees, a fort it should form near Jericho, garrisoned to keep them under the yoke. Eighteen years they endured this servitude, and paid tribute to their oppressors. Note, (1.) When we return to sin, we may expect God will return to judgment. (2.) If lighter corrections are ineffectual, God will make them longer and heavier. (3.) No instrument so deplorable, but whenever God pleases, he can make it the rod of his anger.

2. Israel had again recourse to prayer, and though their suffering was prolonged, at last God pities and delivers them by the hand of Ehud, a Benjamin. The tribe of Benjamin lying nearest the garrison of the Philifines, might probably be most oppressed, and, weakened as they were some time before by that stroke, recorded clasp. xx. less able to resist; but God can work by the waker means the greatest deliverances. Ehud, raised up under a divine impulse, embraces the first opportunity to accomplish the stroke he meditated for the rescue of the people. Being sent with a present to Egon king of Moab, he conceals on his right thigh a short dagger, which, being a left-handed man, was most conveniently thus situated. Having obtained an audience, and preferred the gifts he brought, he was graciously disinclined, and departed with his servants on his return. At the quarries of Gilgal, (a place where stones were below; or, as some have supplied from the word, which signifies engraving, or graven images, where the king of Moab had set up his old’s open Jaffna’s twelve stones) he disinclined his servants, and turned back again alone, under pretence of a message of importance to the king, which required privacy. His gifts had proved the way for a ready access, and easier credibility. Egon disinclines his servants, and now alone with Ehud in his summer parlour, with no know the subject of his errand; when, approaching him nearer, and telling him it was a message from God, the king, though very competent, respectfully made. Ehud immediately plunged the dagger into his bowels, which being short, the fat closed over it, and he fell down dead on the spot. On this Ehud offers forth, locks the door behind him, paces through the guards unmolested, and halters away. Long time his attendants waited, supposing he kept in his summer parlour, and cared not to be disinclined; at last, wearied with waiting, they opened the door, and to their astonishment behind their king dead on the floor. It was now too late to pursue the fugitive, who was escaped to a place of safety. Ehud, on his return, instantly proclaims his late achievement, and by found of trumpet summons the men of mount Ephraim to finish the stroke to had begun, with assurance of success. Thick as the Cullering sees they swarm around his standard, and, under his command, one party forars the fords of Jordan, which the rest attack the dispirited garrison, not a man of which was suffered to escape. Ten thousand of the most valiant Moabites fell that day, and therewith ended the dominion of Moab. The consequence of this victory was a rest of eighty years. Note, (1.) This act of Ehud’s was by a particular command of God, and is not to be pleaded as a precedent for affirmation. (2.) The greatest dangers do not intimidate, nor the greatest difficulties example those, whom God arms with holy courage, and sup-

piles with the spirit of wisdom. (3.) It is a great mercy to have rest from our spiritual enemies; let us improve it by diligence to grow in grace, that we may be better prepared for their reception, when they shall renew their attacks.

31. And after him was Shamgar, the son of Anath, which flew of the Philifines far hundred men with an ox-goad, and he also delivered Israel.

Judges 3:31

Whilst one part of the country suffered from one enemy, the opposite border was infested by another. The Philifines made inroads, and ravaged their roads, plundering the villages, and making it unsafe to travel, See chas. v. 6. Shamgar, the son of Anath, on some sudden attack, immediately leaves his plough, and with no better weapon than in no-goad flew for hundred of them, and cleared the country of the spoilers. Note, (1.) The greatest men have often arled from the meanest employments. (2.) When God calls a ploughman to the government, or a fisherman to the apostleship, he will qualify them for their work, and bless them with success.