Judges 3:7-31 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:1-7

We are here told what remained of the old inhabitants of Canaan. 1. There were some of them that kept together in united bodies, unbroken (Jdg. 3:3): The five lords of the Philistines, namely, Ashdod, Gaza, Askelon, Gath, and Ekron, 1 Sam. 6:7. Three of these cities had been in part reduced (Jdg. 1:18), but it seems the Philistines (probably with the help of the other two, which strengthened their confederacy with each other thenceforward) recovered the possession of them. These gave the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:8-11

We now come to the records of the government of the particular judges, the first of which was Othniel, in whom the story of this book is knit to that of Joshua, for even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous, by which it appears that it was not long after Israel's settlement in Canaan before their purity began to be corrupted and their peace (by consequence) disturbed. And those who have taken pains to enquire into the sacred chronology are generally agreed that the Danites? idolatry,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:12-30

Ehud is the next of the judges whose achievements are related in this history, and here is an account of his actions. I. When Israel sins again God raises up a new oppressor, Jdg. 3:12-14. It was an aggravation of their wickedness that they did evil again after they had smarted so long for their former iniquities, promised so fair when Othniel judged them, and received so much mercy from God in their deliverance. What, and after all this, again to break his commandments! Was the disease... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:31

When it is said the land had rest eighty years, some think it meant chiefly of that part of the land which lay eastward on the banks of Jordan, which had been oppressed by the Moabites; but it seems, by this passage here, that the other side of the country which lay south-west was in that time infested by the Philistines, against whom Shamgar made head. 1. It seems Israel needed deliverance, for he delivered Israel; how great the distress was Deborah afterwards related in her song (Jdg. 5:6),... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:7

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord ,.... Both by marrying with Heathens, and worshipping their gods: and forgot the Lord their God ; as if they had never heard of him, or known him, their Maker and Preserver, who had done so many great and good things for them: and served Baalim, and the groves ; of Baalim, see Judges 2:11 ; the groves mean either idols worshipped in groves, as Jupiter was worshipped in a grove of oaks, hence the oak of Dodona; and Apollo... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:8

Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel ,.... Because of their idolatry; see Judges 2:14 , and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim, king of Mesopotamia ; or Aramnaharaim; that is, Syria, between the two rivers, which were Tigris and Euphrates; hence the Greek name of this place is as here called Mesopotamia. Josephus F12 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 3. sect. 2. calls him king of Assyria, and gives him the name of Chusarthus; and indeed Chushanrishathaim seems to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:9

And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord ,.... Towards the close of the eight years' bondage, as it may be supposed, groaning under the oppressive taxes laid upon them, and the bondage they were brought into: and the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel ; he heard their cry, and sent them a saviour, whose spirit he stirred up, and whom he qualified for this service: who delivered them ; out of the hands of the king of Mesopotamia, and freed them from his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:10

And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him ,.... Moved him to engage in this work of delivering Israel, inspired him with courage, and filled him with every needful gift, qualifying him for it; the Targum interprets it the spirit of prophecy; it seems father to be the spirit of counsel and courage, of strength and fortitude of body and mind: and he judged Israel ; took upon him the office of a judge over them, and executed it; very probably the first work he set about was to reprove them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:11

And the land had rest forty years ,.... As it should seem from the time of this deliverance; though, according to Ben Gersom and Abarbinel, the eight years' servitude are to be included in them; and Bishop Usher F18 Anual. Vet. Test. p. 42. reckons these forty years from the rest first settled in the land by Joshua; but the former sense seems best: and Othniel the son of Kenaz died : not at the end of the forty years; it is not likely he should live so long, but when he died is not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:12

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord ,.... Fell into idolatry again, which was a great evil in the sight of God, and what they were prone to fall into: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel ; put it into his heart to invade them, and encouraged him to it, and gave him success; what kings reigned over Moab between Balak and this king we know not: it is a commonly received notion of the Jews, that Ruth was the daughter of Eglon; see ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:1-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:8-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:12-30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 3:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:12

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