Judges 3:10

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 3:10

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

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 3:10

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

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 3:10

the Spirit of the LORD. Of Jehovah, App-4 . not Elohim. The spirit (Hebrew. ruach, App-9 ) of Jehovah bestowing gifts rather than power or might (Genesis 1:2 ). Compare Isaiah 11:2 ; Isaiah 61:1 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 3:10

Judges 3:10. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him— He was moved by an extraordinary impulse from God to take upon him the government of the people; which none dared to do, unless appointed by God himself, who was the King of the nation. Josephus says, that God appeared to Othniel, so that he could not doubt of the divinity of his mission. The Chaldee Paraphrast seems to favour this opinion; for he says, that the spirit of prophesy was upon Othniel. Doubtless he, as well as the other judges,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:10

10. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he judged Israel, and went out to war—Impelled by a supernatural influence, he undertook the difficult task of government at this national crisis—addressing himself to promote a general reformation of manners, the abolition of idolatry, and the revival of pure religion. After these preliminary measures, he collected a body of choice warriors to expel the foreign oppressors. the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 3:7-11

A. The first apostasy 3:7-11The first of six periods of oppression by Israel’s enemies began while Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother, was still alive and strong (cf. Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13). The writer identified each of these periods with the phrase "the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD" (Judges 3:7; Judges 3:12; Judges 4:1; Judges 6:1; Judges 10:6; Judges 13:1).Many scholars now identify Asheroth (Judges 3:7, NASB) with the Canaanite goddess Asherah (NIV) and the... read more

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