Bible Commentaries

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 ^a wars of Canaan;

(a) 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 ^b nothing thereof;

(b) For they trusted in God and he fought for them.

And they took ^c their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

(c) Contrary to God's commandment, (Deuteronomy 7:3).

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the ^d groves.

(d) Or Ashteroth, trees or woods erected for idolatry.

And the ^e 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.

(e) He was stirred up by the Spirit of the Lord.

And the land had rest ^f forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

(f) That is, 32 under Joshua and 8 under Othniel.

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD ^g strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

(g) So that the enemies of God's people have no power over them, but by God's appointment.

But he himself turned again from the ^h quarries that [were] by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep ⁱ silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.

(h) Or, as some read from the places of idols.

(i) Till all be departed.

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the ^k land had rest fourscore years.

(k) Meaning, the Israelites.

And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox ^l goad: and he also delivered Israel.

(l) So that it is not the number, nor the means that God regards, when he will get the victory.