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
The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done what was evil in the Lord's sight.
13
After Eglon convinced the Ammonites and the Amalekites to join forces with him, he attacked and defeated Israel and took possession of the City of Palms.
14
The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab 18 years.
15
Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him to Eglon king of Moab with tribute [money].
16
Ehud made himself a double-edged sword 18 inches long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes