Judges 3:12

Ehud

12 Once again the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Because they did that, the LORD gave Eglon power over Israel. Eglon was the king of Moab.

Judges 3:12 Meaning and 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 ( Ruth 1:4 ) ; and it was about this time that Elimelech with his two sons went into Moab, and when many of those things recorded in the book of Ruth were transacted:

because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord;
which had greatly provoked him to anger, and was the cause of stirring up the king of Moab against them.

Judges 3:12 In-Context

10 The Spirit of the LORD came on Othniel. So he became Israel's leader. He went to war. The LORD handed Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram, over to him. Othniel overpowered him.

11 So the land was at peace for 40 years. Then Othniel, the son of Kenaz, died.

12 Once again the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Because they did that, the LORD gave Eglon power over Israel. Eglon was the king of Moab.

13 He got the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him. All of them came and attacked Israel. They took over Jericho. Jericho was also known as The City of Palm Trees.

14 For 18 years the people of Israel were under the rule of Eglon, the king of Moab.