13
Eglon got the Ammonites and the Amalekites to join him. Then he attacked Israel and took Jericho, the city of palm trees.
14
So the people of Israel were ruled by Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.
15
When the people cried to the Lord, he sent someone to save them. He was Ehud, son of Gera from the people of Benjamin, who was left-handed. Israel sent Ehud to give Eglon king of Moab the payment he demanded.
16
Ehud made himself a sword with two edges, about eighteen inches long, and he tied it to his right hip under his clothes.
17
Ehud gave Eglon king of Moab the payment he demanded. Now Eglon was a very fat man.
18
After he had given Eglon the payment, Ehud sent away the people who had carried it.
19
When he passed the statues near Gilgal, he turned around and said to Eglon, "I have a secret message for you, King Eglon." The king said, "Be quiet!" Then he sent all of his servants out of the room.
20
Ehud went to King Eglon, as he was sitting alone in the room above his summer palace. Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you." As the king stood up from his chair,
21
Ehud reached with his left hand and took out the sword that was tied to his right hip. Then he stabbed the sword deep into the king's belly!
22
Even the handle sank in, and the blade came out his back. The king's fat covered the whole sword, so Ehud left the sword in Eglon.
23
Then he went out of the room and closed and locked the doors behind him.