6
They got married to the daughters of those people. They gave their own daughters to the sons of those people. And they served the gods of those people.
Othniel
7 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the LORD their God. They served the gods that were named after Baal. They also served the goddesses that were named after Asherah.
8
So the LORD's anger burned against Israel. He gave them over to the power of Cushan-Rishathaim. He was the king of Aram Naharaim. For eight years Israel was under his rule.
9
They cried out to the Lord. Then he gave them a man to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Kenaz. He was Caleb's younger brother.
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.
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.
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.
15
Again the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then he gave them a man to save them. His name was Ehud, the son of Gera. Ehud was left-handed. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. The people of Israel sent Ehud to Eglon, the king of Moab. They sent him to give the king what he required them to bring him.
16
Ehud had made a sword that had two edges. It was about a foot and a half long. He tied it to his right leg under his clothes.