Judges 3:7-11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 3:10

His hand prevailed - We are not told or what nature this war was, but it was most decisive; and the consequence was an undisturbed peace of forty years, during the whole life of Othniel. By the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him, the Chaldee understands the spirit of prophecy; others understand the spirit of fortitude and extraordinary courage, as opposed to the spirit of fear or faintness of heart; but as Othniel was judge, and had many offices to fulfill besides that of a general, he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:7

And the groves - literally, Asheroth, images of Asherah (the goddess companion of Baal): see Deuteronomy 16:21 note. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:8

Here we hold again the thread of the proper narrative, which seems as if it ought to have run thus Judges 1:1 : Now, etc. Judges 3:8, therefore (or “and”) etc.Served Chushan-Rishathaim - This is the same phrase as in Judges 3:14. From it is derived the expression, “the times of servitude,” as distinguished from “the times of rest,” in speaking of the times of the Judges. Mesopotamia, or Aram-naharaim, was the seat of Nimrod’s kingdom, and Nimrod was the son of Cush Genesis 10:8-12. Rishathaim... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:9

Othniel was already distinguished in Joshua’s lifetime as a brave and successful leader. See Joshua 15:16-17. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:10

And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him - The phrase occurs frequently in this book and in the books of Samuel and Kings. It marks the special office of the Judges. They were saviors (Judges 3:9 margin; Nehemiah 9:27) called and directed by the Holy Spirit, who endued them with extraordinary wisdom, courage, and strength for the work which lay before them (compare Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 13:25; Judges 14:6, Judges 14:19), and were in this respect types of Christ the “Judge of Israel”... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:11

The land - means here, as in Judges 1:2, not the whole land of Canaan, but the part concerned, probably the land of the tribe of Judah. Forty years, here and elsewhere, is (like fourscore years, Judges 3:30) a round number, perhaps equivalent to a generation. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 3:6-7

Judges 3:6-7. They took their daughters, and served their gods Were drawn to idolatry by the persuasions and examples of their yoke-fellows. And served Baalim and the groves Or, Baalim in groves; that is, false gods, or rather their images, set up under shady trees, contrary to the command given Exodus 34:13. Some expositors, however, think the meaning is, Baalim and Ashtaroth; for by the addition of a single letter, the Hebrew word rendered groves, will be Ashtaroth, and the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 3:8

Judges 3:8. He sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim So that the first enemies that oppressed the Israelites were the Syrians; who, either out of hatred, or a desire to enlarge their dominions, came over the Euphrates, and invaded them, and kept them in subjection eight years. King of Mesopotamia Which was that part of Syria which lay between the two great rivers Tigris and Euphrates. This lay at such a distance, that one would not have thought Israel’s trouble should have come... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 3:9-10

Judges 3:9-10. When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord When they returned to him in repentance, acknowledged him to be their only Protector and Saviour, and prayed fervently for pardon and deliverance; the Lord raised up a deliverer Qualified a person for, and called him to, the great work of delivering them. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him With extraordinary influence, endowing him with singular wisdom and courage, and stirring him up to this great undertaking. Judged... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 3:7-31

Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar (3:7-31)The first invader of Israel seems to have come from Aram, which was far to the north of Palestine. The Israelite leader who finally defeated him, Othniel, came from the tribe of Judah, which was in the south of Palestine (see Joshua 15:13-19). It appears, therefore, that the enemy had overrun most of the land. As in other cases recorded in Judges, Israel’s victory came through God’s special power given to the deliverer (7-11; cf. 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6,19;... read more

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