“Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;”
Which were achieved by the hand of God, and not by the power of man.
“Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;”
For they trusted in God, and he fought for them.
“And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.”
Contrary to God’s commandment, Deut. 3:7 .
“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.”
Trees or woods erected for idolatry.
“And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim. came: Heb. was Mesopotamia: Heb. Aram”
Or, Syria. He was stirred up by the Spirit of the Lord.
“And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.”
That is, 32 under Joshua, and eight under Othniel.
“And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.”
So that the enemies of God’s people have no power over them, but by God’s appointment.
“But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded : and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. a Benjamite: or, the son of Jemini lefthanded: Heb. shut of his right hand”
Or, Benjamin. Or, left handed.
“But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.”
Or, caused a dagger to be made.
“But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. quarries: or, graven images”
Till all be departed. Or, as some read from the places of idols.
“When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber. covereth: or, doeth his easement”
Hebrew, he covereth his feet .
“And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.”
Or, caused the trumpet to be blown, Num. 20:2 , 3 .
“So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.”
Hebrew, humbled. Meaning, the Israelites.
“And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.”
So that it is not the number, nor the means that God regardeth, when he will get the victory.