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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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 3:9

Raised up - Othniel , the son of Kenaz - This noble Hebrew was of the tribe of Judah, and nephew and son-in-law to Caleb, whose praise stands without abatement in the sacred records. Othniel had already signalized his valor in taking Kirjath-sepher, which appears to have been a very hazardous exploit. By his natural valor, experience in war, and the peculiar influence of the Divine Spirit, he was well qualified to inspire his countrymen with courage, and to lead them successfully... read more

Adam Clarke

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 3:9

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 3:9-10

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

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