Shofetim 3:18

18 And when he had made an end to offer the minchah, he sent away the people that carried the minchah (tribute).

Shofetim 3:18 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 3:18

And when he had made an end to offer the present
Had delivered the several things contained in it, and very probably made a speech to the king in the name of the people of Israel from whom he brought it:

he sent away the people that bare the present;
not the servants of Eglon that introduced him, as if they assisted in bringing in the present to the king; for over them he could not have so much power as to dismiss them at pleasure; but the children of Israel that came along with him, and carried the present for him: these he dismissed, not in the presence of the king of Moab, but after he had taken his leave of him, and when he had gone on some way in his return home; and this he did for the greater secrecy of his design, and that he might when he had finished it the more easily escape alone, and be without any concern for or care of the safety of others.

Shofetim 3:18 In-Context

16 But Ehud made him a cherev which had two edges of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.

17 And he brought the minchah unto Eglon Melech Moav; and Eglon was an ish bari me’od (very fat man).

18 And when he had made an end to offer the minchah, he sent away the people that carried the minchah (tribute).

19 But he himself turned back at the pesilim near Gilgal, and said, I have a devar seter (secret message) for thee O melech; he said, Keep silence! And all that stood by attending him went out from him.

20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in an aliyyat hamekerah (upper room for cooling), which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a devar Elohim unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.