Walk On By

A Character Study of Ehud

Eglon, the king of the Moabites “joined forces with the Ammonites and the Amalekites” (Jdg 3:13, CEV) in order to wage war with Israel. He was victorious and ruled Israel for 18 years (v14). Verse 12 tells us the reason for Israel’s downfall: the Lord saw fit to give them into Eglon’s hand “because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” Verse seven makes clear what this evil was: “They forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth” (foreign, false gods). As a result, Israel needed someone to deliver them from the consequences of their actions. God supplied Ehud, “the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man.” (Jdg 3:15) It is unclear until verse 21 which is the southpaw, Gera or Ehud. What does become clear 17 chapters later is that all lefties mentioned in the Bible come from the tribe of Benjamin—all 701 of them. (Jdg 20:16) Ehud is one and so, when called to be Israel’s deliverer, straps a short sword to his right thigh and goes to deliver tribute to “a very fat” (Jdg 3:17) king.

The amount of the tribute from Israel is not mentioned. However, it must have been a sizeable amount because it took a number of Israelites to carry it. The word for “people” (ahm) in verse 18 does mean “people,” but in the sense of a congregation, tribe, or flock. (Strongs) After delivering the tribute, Ehud sends this people away—presumably out of harms way. It may also be assumed that Ehud thought of his own ability to get away from the Moabites if he had to look out for stragglers and so, he gave them a head start. Ehud now appeals to Eglon’s vanity, telling him that he has a secret to share with him and that the mysterious message meant just for him is from God. This shows Ehud’s shrewdness (“praiseworthy deception,” Origen. “Homilies on Judges.” Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, IV. 113) in two ways: secrets get one closer to another and it gets others out of the way. The king orders his attendants to leave the room and when they have done so Ehud draws near to the fat (and doubtless slow) king. The text tells us that Eglon is now all alone with Ehud, waiting for him to disclose the secret meant only for the king’s ears.

Within striking distance, Ehud quickly pulls the sword by the hilt from his own body and then delivers his previously secret point to the king’s body. One is reminded of Hebrews 4:12: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (ESV) The secret “word” had now been delivered and had been conveyed with such force to a flabby torso that the sword went so far in that the king’s obesity covered the hilt (v22). It also informs us—graphically so—that dung came out. The king either lost control of his bowels or his intestines were slashed by the sword and came out from the wound. This also was fortuitous in that it provided for Ehud’s escape. None of Eglon’s servants went in to check on him because they thought he was busy relieving himself.

By verse 27, Ehud is gathering the troops to lead Israel into battle against a confused Moabite enemy. Ehud’s strong character is shown in his humility to serve the tribute, his courage to face the king alone, his cunning development of a successful plan, his determination to carry it out, and his leadership of troops. There is another character trait of this Judge that stands out above his other qualities. When Ehud had led his people far enough away from danger (“at the idols near Gilgal,” {v19} perhaps indicating the “boundaries of the two countries” (Adam Clarke. Holy Bible …: With a Commentary and Critical Notes. 1834; 619) he turned back to the focus of his mission. After delivering the word of the LORD to Eglon, Ehud departs and “pass[es] beyond the idols.” (v26) This repetition or framing of the word “idols” creates an inclusio, a bracketing literary device that tells the reader this item is of “pivotal importance.” (Anchor. 86) The idols cannot be important simply because they compose a border line that Israel escapes back across. Escape to what? They are still under a Moabite threat, whether Eglon is dead or alive. Indeed, the threat may now be worse. The real import of the scene is that Ehud passed the idols. He had nothing to do with them (nor they he). He does not pause to worship nor does he take one or two statues as booty. Further, these foreign gods do nothing to help those who have worshiped them and now allow the Judge of Israel to pass without opposition.