Judges 3:20-22

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:20

And Ehud came unto him ,.... Somewhat nearer him than he was before; it seems probable that Eglon retired from the presence chamber, where he received company, into his summer parlour; which was smaller and more private, and in which he had used to be alone, as follows, and whither Ehud went in unto him, as he directed him: and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone : into which he was wont to go and sit alone, for the sake of coolness and refreshment in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:21

And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh ,.... Being, as before observed, a lefthanded man; Judges 3:15 , and this he could the better do, without being taken notice of by the king, who, if he saw him move his left hand, would have no suspicion of his going to draw a dagger with it, and which also was hidden under his raiment, Judges 3:16 , and thrust it into his belly ; Josephus F4 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 2. says into his heart; it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 3:22

And the haft went in, after the blade ,.... The handle of the dagger, as well as the blade; so strong and violent was the thrust, he determining to do his business effectually: and the fat closed upon the blade ; being an excessive fat man, the wound made by the dagger closed up at once upon it, through the fat: so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly ; being not able to take hold of the haft or handle, that having slipped in through the fat after the blade, so that he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 3:20

He was sitting in a summer parlor - Besides the platforms, says Dr. Shaw, which were upon the ancient houses of the East, and which are found there to this day, it is probable that heretofore, as well as at present, most of the great houses had a smaller one annexed, which seldom consisted of more than one or two rooms and a terrace. Others, built as they frequently are above the porch or gateway, have, if we except the ground-floor, all the conveniences belonging to the house,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 3:22

The haft also went in after the blade - As the instrument was very short, and Eglon very corpulent, this might readily take place. And the dirt came out - This is variously understood: either the contents of the bowels issued through the wound, or he had an evacuation in the natural way through the fright and anguish. The original, פרשדונה parshedonah , occurs only here, and is supposed to be compounded of פרש peresh , dung, and שדה shadah , to shed, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:20

Probably Ehud’s first message Judges 3:19 had been delivered to the attendants, and by them carried to the king. Now Ehud is admitted to the king’s presence, into the cool upper chamber.I have a message from God unto thee - Ehud believed himself to be accomplishing the divine mandate, and so his words were true in a certain sense. But it was also a stratagem to cause the king to rise, that the thrust might be sure. (The king rose at once, in true Oriental respect for a divine message, or from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 3:22

The King James Version and margin give different explanations of the last words of this verse. Others explain it of a vestibule or chamber, through which Ehud passed into the porch where the entrance doors were. He locked the doors, took the key with him; and then retired through the midst of the attendants below (or: more probably, through the door which communicated directly with the outside). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 3:20

Judges 3:20. He was sitting in a summer parlour Into which, it is probable, he used to retire from company; which is mentioned as the reason why his servants waited so long ere they went in to him, Judges 3:25. I have a message from God unto thee To be delivered, not in words, but by actions. This was true if Ehud was stirred up to this, as it appears he was, by a divine influence. Ehud, however, expressed himself in this manner to remove from the king any apprehensions of danger; and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 3:21

Judges 3:21. Ehud put forth his hand and took the dagger It is justly observed by Dr. Dodd, that this action of Ehud “is certainly among the number of those which are not to be imitated without that which gave it all its sanction; namely, a divine commission. The text expressly says, The Lord raised up Ehud; and it is well known that all the deliverances which the Jews had under the judges, were directed and conducted by the immediate hand of God, according as the people, by their... read more

Group of Brands