Judges 3

3 five lords. This appellation (Heb. seranim) is used exclusively of the Philistine governors. The five “lordships” were Gath, Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron.

7 groves. The Hebrew word Asherim, here and elsewhere rendered “groves,” means upright pillars made of trunks of trees, and used in connexion with the worship of Ashtoreth.

8. Chushan-rishathalim. Nothing more is known of this invader. Professor Strahan translates his name “Nubian of double-dyed wickedness” (Peake’s Commentary).

9 cried unto the Lord. Those who in prosperity had cried to Baalim and Ashtoreth, now when they are in trouble cry to the Eternal. But though they were driven to God by adversity, He did not reject their prayers.

11. Othniel the son of Kenaz died. It was probably somewhere about this period that the idolatry of the Danites occurred, as well as the war with the Benjamites, related in xvii.-xxi.; also the events recorded in the Book of Ruth.

12. Delapising into sin, the Israelites are subjected to the king of Moab for eighteen years (12-14), but are delivered by Ehud (15-29), so that for eighty years they enjoy peace (30). Shamgar, on the other hand, frees them from the Philistines (31).

13 the city of palm trees. i.e., Jericho: see i. 16. Some houses had probably been rebuilt, but not the walls.

15 sent a present. Probably the tribute which Eglon had imposed.

16 cubit. About 18 inches.

19 quarries. The Hebrew word here used means “graven images.”

Keep silence. Addressed to the servants, commanding them to withdraw.

20 a summer parlour. A cool, shaded apartment, now called a kiosk; probably separate from the rest of the house.

21. And Ehud, etc. From this whole narrative, especially ver. 15, it may be inferred that Ehud, in performing this deed, was acting under a special commission from God, who saw fit thus to punish the oppressor of His people, after having first made use of him for their correction.

30 the land had rest fourscore years. Some suppose that this applies chiefly to the land east of Jordan, which had been oppressed by the Moabites. It seems, from ver. 31, that the south-western part of Canaan was at that time much infested by the Philistines.

31 with an ox goad. A weapon well suited for the purpose in the hands of a strong man, being six to eight feet long, and armed with a spike of iron.