So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. ] Ten years longer than they served the king of Mesopotamia, ( Judges 3:8 ) , as a severer correction of them for their relapse into idolatry.
12
Once again the Israelites did evil in the LORD ’s sight, and the LORD gave King Eglon of Moab control over Israel because of their evil.
13
Eglon enlisted the Ammonites and Amalekites as allies, and then he went out and defeated Israel, taking possession of Jericho, the city of palms.
14
And the Israelites served Eglon of Moab for eighteen years.
15
But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help, the LORD again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tribute money to King Eglon of Moab.
16
So Ehud made a double-edged dagger that was about a foot long, and he strapped it to his right thigh, keeping it hidden under his clothing.