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 people of Israel did what the LORD considered evil. So the LORD made King Eglon of Moab stronger than Israel, because Israel did what the LORD considered evil.
13
Eglon got the Ammonites and the Amalekites to help him, and they defeated the Israelites and occupied the City of Palms.
14
The Israelites served King Eglon of Moab for 18 years.
15
Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help. The LORD sent a savior to rescue them. It was Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. (Ehud was the son of Gera.) The people sent him with their tax payment to King Eglon of Moab.
16
Ehud made a two-edged dagger for himself. He fastened it to his right side under his clothes.