1Now theseare the nationswhichthe LORDleft,to testIsraelby them ([that is], allwhohad not experiencedanyof the warsof Canaan;2onlyin orderthat the generationsof the sonsof Israelmight be taughtwar,thosewhohad not experiencedit formerly).3[These nations are]: the fivelordsof the Philistinesand allthe Canaanitesand the Sidoniansand the Hiviteswho livedin MountLebanon,from MountBaal-hermonas faras Lebo-hamath.4They were for testingIsrael,to findout if they would obeythe commandmentsof the LORD,whichHe had commandedtheir fathersthroughMoses.5The sonsof Israellivedamongthe Canaanites,the Hittites,the Amorites,the Perizzites,the Hivites,and the Jebusites;6and they tooktheir daughtersfor themselves as wives,and gavetheir own daughtersto their sons,and servedtheir gods.
7The sonsof Israeldidwhatwas evilin the sightof the LORD,and forgotthe LORDtheir Godand servedthe Baalsand the Asheroth.8Then the angerof the LORDwas kindledagainst Israel,so that He soldthem into the handsof Cushan-rishathaimkingof Mesopotamia;and the sonsof IsraelservedCushan-rishathaimeightyears.
9When the sonsof Israelcriedto the LORD,the LORDraisedup a delivererfor the sonsof Israelto deliverthem, Othnielthe sonof Kenaz,Caleb'syoungerbrother.10The Spiritof the LORDcameupon him, and he judgedIsrael.When he wentout to war,the LORDgaveCushan-rishathaimkingof Mesopotamiainto his hand,so that he prevailedoverCushan-rishathaim.11Then the landhadrestfortyyears.And Othnielthe sonof Kenazdied.
12Now the sonsof Israelagaindidevilin the sightof the LORD.So the LORDstrengthenedEglonthe kingof MoabagainstIsrael,becausethey had doneevilin the sightof the LORD.13And he gatheredto himself the sonsof Ammonand Amalek;and he wentand defeatedIsrael,and they possessedthe cityof the palmtrees.14The sonsof IsraelservedEglonthe kingof Moabeighteenyears.
15But when the sonsof Israelcriedto the LORD,the LORDraisedup a delivererfor them, Ehudthe sonof Gera,the Benjamite,a left-handedman.And the sonsof Israelsenttributeby him to Eglonthe kingof Moab.16Ehudmadehimself a swordwhich had twoedges,a cubitin length,and he boundit on his rightthighunderhis cloak.17He presentedthe tributeto Eglonkingof Moab.Now Eglonwas a veryfatman.18It cameabout whenhe had finishedpresentingthe tribute,that he sentawaythe peoplewho had carriedthe tribute.19But he himselfturnedbackfrom the idolswhichwere at Gilgal,and said,"I have a secretmessagefor you, O king."And he said,"Keepsilence."And allwho attendedhim lefthim.20Ehudcameto him while he was sittingalonein his coolroofchamber.And Ehudsaid,"I have a messagefrom Godfor you." And he arosefrom his seat.21Ehudstretchedout his lefthand,tookthe swordfrom his rightthighand thrustit into his belly.22The handlealsowentin afterthe blade,and the fatclosedoverthe blade,for he did not drawthe swordout of his belly;and the refusecameout.23Then Ehudwentout into the vestibuleand shutthe doorsof the roofchamberbehindhim, and locked[them].
24When he had goneout, his servantscameand looked,and behold,the doorsof the roofchamberwere locked;and they said,"He is onlyrelievinghimself in the coolroom."25They waiteduntilthey becameanxious;but behold,he did not openthe doorsof the roofchamber.Therefore they tookthe keyand openedthem, and behold,their masterhad fallento the floordead.
26Now Ehudescapedwhilethey were delaying,and he passedby the idolsand escapedto Seirah.27It cameabout when he had arrived,that he blewthe trumpetin the hillcountryof Ephraim;and the sonsof Israelwentdownwith him from the hillcountry,and he [was] in frontof them.28He saidto them, "Pursue[them], for the LORDhas givenyour enemiesthe Moabitesinto your hands."So they wentdownafterhim and seizedthe fordsof the Jordanopposite Moab,and did not allowanyoneto cross.29They struckdownat that timeabout tenthousandMoabites,allrobustand valiantmen;and nooneescaped.30So Moabwas subduedthat dayunderthe handof Israel.And the landwas undisturbedfor eightyyears.
31Afterhim cameShamgarthe sonof Anath,who struckdownsixhundredPhilistineswith an oxgoad;and he alsosavedIsrael.
