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Judges 3

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‹ Chapter 2 Judges — All Chapters Chapter 4 ›

1 These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan, 2 if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly: 3 the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. 4 These nations were left to test the Israelites, to find out whether they would keep the commandments of the LORD, which He had given their fathers through Moses. 5 Thus the Israelites continued to live among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 6 And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 7 So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. 8 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years. 9 But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them. 10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him. 11 So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died. 12 Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. So He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. 13 After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms. 14 The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. 15 And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16 Now Ehud had made for himself a double-edged sword a cubit long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his cloak 17 and brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was an obese man. 18 After Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he ushered out those who had carried it. 19 But upon reaching the idols near Gilgal, he himself turned back and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” “Silence,” said the king, and all his attendants left him. 20 Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in the coolness of his upper room. “I have a word from God for you,” Ehud said, and the king rose from his seat. 21 And Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. 22 Even the handle sank in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And Eglon’s bowels emptied. 23 Then Ehud went out through the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upper room behind him. 24 After Ehud was gone, Eglon’s servants came in and found the doors of the upper room locked. “He must be relieving himself in the cool room,” they said. 25 So they waited until they became worried and saw that he had still not opened the doors of the upper room. Then they took the key and opened the doors—and there was their lord lying dead on the floor. 26 Ehud, however, had escaped while the servants waited. He passed by the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27 On arriving in Seirah, he blew the ram’s horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hills, and he became their leader. 28 “Follow me,” he told them, “for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they followed him down and seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over. 29 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all robust and valiant men. Not one of them escaped. 30 So Moab was subdued under the hand of Israel that day, and the land had rest for eighty years. 31 After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. And he too saved Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.

‹ Chapter 2 Judges — All Chapters Chapter 4 ›

Study Notes — Judges 3

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Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with a list of nations that God left in the land to test the Israelites, who failed to drive them out as commanded. The Lord then raised up Othniel, the first judge, to deliver Israel from the king of Mesopotamia. After Othniel's death, the Israelites again turned to idolatry, and God gave them into the hands of the Moabites. Ehud, a left-handed man, was chosen by God to lead the Israelites to victory over the Moabites. Following Ehud's victory, the land had peace for eighty years. The chapter also mentions Shamgar, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. Throughout the chapter, we see the pattern of sin, judgment, and deliverance, as well as the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, as seen in Judges 3:1-4, Judges 3:12-30, and Judges 3:31.

Context for the Chapter

Judges chapter 3 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Judges, which describes the period of Israel's history between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy. The chapter fits into the broader biblical narrative as an example of God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, despite their consistent disobedience. It also serves as a precursor to the gospel message, where Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate Deliverer of God's people, as seen in John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:1-3.

Heart Application

This chapter encourages us to reflect on our own patterns of sin and disobedience, and to cry out to God for deliverance and mercy. It reminds us of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the faithfulness of God in rescuing us from our enemies, whether they be internal or external. As we consider the stories of the judges, we are pointed to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, who has rescued us from the ultimate enemy, sin and death, as seen in Judges 3:9 and John 1:1.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Judges chapter 3 tells the story of how God helped the Israelites when they were in trouble. He sent special leaders called judges to save them from their enemies. The chapter teaches us about God's love and patience, and how He wants us to obey Him. We can learn from the mistakes of the Israelites and remember to always ask God for help, as seen in Judges 3:9 and Judges 3:15.

Voices from the Church

“The Lord is a God of deliverance, and He delights to rescue His people from the depths of trouble and to set their feet upon the rock of salvation.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The history of the judges is a striking illustration of the truth that God is a God of mercy and justice, who punishes the wicked and delivers the righteous.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

  1. Introduction to the Judges (Judges 3:1-4) — The chapter begins by listing the nations that God left in the land to test the Israelites, who failed to drive them out as commanded. This sets the stage for the cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance that follows.
  2. Othniel, the First Judge (Judges 3:5-11) — Othniel, the first judge, is introduced as a deliverer appointed by God to rescue Israel from the king of Mesopotamia. His story serves as a model for the other judges, demonstrating God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people.
  3. Ehud, the Second Judge (Judges 3:12-30) — Ehud, a left-handed man, is chosen by God to lead the Israelites to victory over the Moabites. His story highlights God's ability to use unlikely heroes to achieve His purposes, as seen in Judges 3:12-30.
  4. Shamgar, the Third Judge (Judges 3:31) — Shamgar, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, is mentioned as another judge who delivered Israel. His story demonstrates God's power and sovereignty in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, as seen in Judges 3:31.
  5. Conclusion (Judges 3:1-31) — The chapter concludes by emphasizing the cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance, and highlighting God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, despite their consistent disobedience, as seen in Judges 3:1-31.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God
The chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and control over all events, including the rise and fall of nations and the appointment of leaders, as seen in Judges 3:1-4 and Judges 3:9-11.
Faithfulness of God
The story of the judges demonstrates God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, despite their consistent disobedience, as seen in Judges 3:9 and Judges 3:15.
Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' failure to drive out the nations in the land, as commanded by God, leads to their apostasy and subsequent judgment, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Judges 3:1-4.
Gospel Preview
The concept of judges as deliverers points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer of God's people, who rescues us from sin and its consequences, as seen in John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:1-3.

Lessons from Judges 3

  1. God's Faithfulness — The chapter teaches us about God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, despite their consistent disobedience, as seen in Judges 3:9 and Judges 3:15.
  2. Importance of Obedience — The Israelites' failure to drive out the nations in the land, as commanded by God, leads to their apostasy and subsequent judgment, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Judges 3:1-4.
  3. God's Sovereignty — The chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty and control over all events, including the rise and fall of nations and the appointment of leaders, as seen in Judges 3:1-4 and Judges 3:9-11.
  4. Gospel Preview — The concept of judges as deliverers points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer of God's people, who rescues us from sin and its consequences, as seen in John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:1-3.
  5. Prayer and Dependence on God — The chapter encourages us to cry out to God for help and to trust in His deliverance, as seen in Judges 3:9 and Judges 3:15.

Themes from Judges 3

  1. Sin and Its Consequences — The chapter describes the cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Judges 3:1-4 and Judges 3:12-30.
  2. God's Faithfulness and Mercy — The story of the judges demonstrates God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, despite their consistent disobedience, as seen in Judges 3:9 and Judges 3:15.
  3. Sovereignty of God — The chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and control over all events, including the rise and fall of nations and the appointment of leaders, as seen in Judges 3:1-4 and Judges 3:9-11.
  4. Importance of Prayer and Dependence on God — The chapter encourages us to cry out to God for help and to trust in His deliverance, as seen in Judges 3:9 and Judges 3:15.
  5. Gospel Preview — The concept of judges as deliverers points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer of God's people, who rescues us from sin and its consequences, as seen in John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:1-3.

Questions for Meditation

  1. What can we learn from the cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance in Judges chapter 3, and how can we apply it to our own lives?
  2. How does the story of Othniel, the first judge, encourage us to trust in God's faithfulness and mercy?
  3. What role does obedience play in our relationship with God, and how can we prioritize obedience in our daily lives, as seen in Judges 3:1-4?
  4. How does the concept of judges as deliverers point forward to Jesus Christ, and what implications does this have for our understanding of the gospel, as seen in John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:1-3?
  5. What can we learn from the stories of Ehud and Shamgar about God's ability to use unlikely heroes to achieve His purposes, and how can we apply this to our own lives, as seen in Judges 3:12-30 and Judges 3:31?

Detailed Chapter Outline

1. Introduction to the Judges (Judges 3:1-4)

Judges 3:1 The chapter begins by listing the nations that God left in the land to test the Israelites, who failed to drive them out as commanded.
Judges 3:2 The purpose of leaving these nations was to teach the Israelites about war and to test their obedience to God's commands.
Judges 3:3-4 The Israelites failed to drive out the nations, leading to their apostasy and subsequent judgment.

2. Othniel, the First Judge (Judges 3:5-11)

Judges 3:5 The Israelites served the Lord during the lifetime of Joshua and the elders who outlived him, but after their death, the Israelites turned to idolatry.
Judges 3:6 The Israelites took wives from the nations around them and adopted their customs and practices, leading to their apostasy.
Judges 3:7-8 The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Othniel, the first judge, to deliver them from the king of Mesopotamia.
Judges 3:9-11 Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, was chosen by God to lead the Israelites to victory over the king of Mesopotamia.

3. Ehud, the Second Judge (Judges 3:12-30)

Judges 3:12 After Othniel's death, the Israelites again turned to idolatry, and God gave them into the hands of the Moabites.
Judges 3:13-14 Ehud, a left-handed man, was chosen by God to lead the Israelites to victory over the Moabites.
Judges 3:15-30 Ehud's story highlights God's ability to use unlikely heroes to achieve His purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty and power.

4. Shamgar, the Third Judge (Judges 3:31)

Judges 3:31 Shamgar, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, is mentioned as another judge who delivered Israel, demonstrating God's power and sovereignty in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main theme of Judges chapter 3?

The main theme of Judges chapter 3 is the cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance, highlighting God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, despite their consistent disobedience, as seen in Judges 3:1-4 and Judges 3:9-11.

Who were the judges mentioned in the chapter?

The judges mentioned in the chapter are Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, each of whom was appointed by God to deliver Israel from their enemies, as seen in Judges 3:5-11, Judges 3:12-30, and Judges 3:31.

What can we learn from the story of Othniel?

The story of Othniel teaches us about God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, despite their disobedience, and encourages us to trust in His deliverance, as seen in Judges 3:9 and Judges 3:15.

Top Cross References

ReferenceConnection
1 Judges 3:9 → Psalm 107:6 The Israelites' cry for help in Judges 3:9 is similar to the psalmist's cry for help in Psalm 107:6, highlighting God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people.
2 Judges 3:15 → 1 Samuel 12:11 The story of Ehud in Judges 3:15 is referenced in 1 Samuel 12:11, demonstrating the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.
3 Judges 3:31 → Hebrews 11:32-34 The story of Shamgar in Judges 3:31 is mentioned in Hebrews 11:32-34, highlighting his faith and trust in God's power and sovereignty.
4 Judges 3:1-4 → Deuteronomy 7:1-5 The nations left in the land to test the Israelites in Judges 3:1-4 are mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1-5, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience.
5 Judges 3:9-11 → Acts 13:20 The story of Othniel in Judges 3:9-11 is referenced in Acts 13:20, highlighting God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people and the importance of faith and trust in His deliverance.
6 Judges 3:12-30 → Romans 11:25-32 The concept of God's sovereignty and control over all events, including the rise and fall of nations, is seen in Judges 3:12-30 and referenced in Romans 11:25-32, emphasizing God's power and mercy towards His people.
7 Judges 3:1-31 → Galatians 3:24-25 The cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance in Judges 3:1-31 is referenced in Galatians 3:24-25, highlighting the importance of faith and trust in God's deliverance and the concept of the gospel as a message of deliverance from sin and its consequences.
8 Judges 3:9 → John 1:1 The concept of God's deliverance and mercy towards His people in Judges 3:9 is referenced in John 1:1, highlighting Jesus Christ as the ultimate Deliverer of God's people, who rescues us from sin and its consequences.
9 Judges 3:15 → Hebrews 1:1-3 The story of Ehud in Judges 3:15 is referenced in Hebrews 1:1-3, emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in God's power and sovereignty, as well as the concept of Jesus Christ as the ultimate Deliverer of God's people.
10 Judges 3:31 → Revelation 19:11-16 The story of Shamgar in Judges 3:31 is referenced in Revelation 19:11-16, highlighting the ultimate victory of God over all nations and the importance of faith and trust in His power and sovereignty.

Sermons on Judges 3

SermonDescription
Manley Beasley Why Gods Children Have Adversity by Manley Beasley In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God allows adversity in our lives for a purpose. He references several Bible verses, including Colossians 1:13-21, Hebrews 12:5-11, Heb
John Ridley The Call of Christ by John Ridley In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the urgency of responding to the call of Jesus. He describes the current state of the world as filled with silence, strangeness, and terrible
Walter Wilson The Letter O by Walter Wilson In this sermon, the speaker discusses the different types of belief in relation to faith in God. The first type is the belief of faith, which brings us closer to God. The second ty
Jack Hyles Slippery When by Jack Hyles In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of going door-to-door to evangelize. He encounters a man who is initially resistant but eventually sits down to listen. Th
A.B. Simpson Stature of the Fullness of Christ by A.B. Simpson A.B. Simpson emphasizes that God is in the process of preparing His heroes for significant roles in His kingdom, much like Othniel in the Bible. He encourages believers to allow th
F.B. Meyer Our Daily Homily - Judges by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer emphasizes the persistent nature of evil habits in our lives, likening them to the Canaanites who resisted being dislodged from the land. He reminds us that as believers
George Warnock The Glory of Israel Fades Away by George Warnock George Warnock discusses the decline of Israel's glory after they settled in Canaan, emphasizing their failure to fully obey God's command to destroy the idolatrous nations. This c
Flavius Josephus From the Death of Moses to the Death of Eli by Flavius Josephus Flavius Josephus recounts the period after the death of Joshua, where the Israelites faced challenges due to their disobedience and neglect of God's laws. The tribe of Benjamin fac
Robert Wurtz II (I) the Gospel of God's Great Love - Part 7 (Kicking Against the Pricks) by Robert Wurtz II Robert Wurtz II delves into the insightful pictures the Bible uses to express how God strives with man, likening it to a farmer plowing a field with oxen and using ox goads to dire
Peter Hammond Bible Survey - Judges by Peter Hammond Peter Hammond preaches on the Book of Judges, highlighting the themes of the faithfulness of the Covenant-keeping God and the unfaithfulness of the Covenant-breaking people. The bo

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Judges 3

In Judges chapter 3, we see the Lord's mercy and patience with His people, despite their consistent disobedience. The story of Othniel, the first judge, demonstrates God's faithfulness and mercy towards His people, and encourages us to trust in His deliverance. The chapter also highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, and the consequences of disobedience. As we consider the stories of the judges, we are pointed to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, who has rescued us from the ultimate enemy, sin and death. Through this chapter, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and control over all events, and the importance of faith and trust in His power and mercy, as seen in Judges 3:1-31 and referenced in John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:1-3. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?

The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance

The chapter describes a repeating pattern of Israel's sin, God's judgment, and their subsequent cry for help, leading to God's deliverance through a judge. This cycle highlights the nation's consistent disobedience and God's patient mercy, as seen in Judges 3:1-4 and Judges 3:12-30.

The Importance of Obedience

The Israelites' failure to drive out the nations in the land, as commanded by God, leads to their apostasy and subsequent judgment. This emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Judges 3:1-4.

God's Use of Unlikely Heroes

The stories of Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar demonstrate God's ability to use unlikely heroes to achieve His purposes, highlighting His sovereignty and power, as seen in Judges 3:9-11 and Judges 3:31.

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