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Judges 3 - Summary

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Read Judges Chapter 3 Summary

The LORD leaves nations to test Israel - the Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and Hivites in Lebanon - and Israel intermarries with them and serves their gods. Othniel, Caleb's nephew, is raised as the first judge to deliver Israel from Cushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia who had oppressed them eight years; the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him and the land has rest forty years. Ehud, a left-handed Benjaminite, delivers Israel from Moab's eighteen-year oppression by assassinating the obese King Eglon with a hidden sword in the king's roof chamber, then leading Israel to kill ten thousand Moabites at the Jordan fords; Shamgar kills six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.

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Characters in This Chapter

Deborah
Deborah

Prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory over the Canaanites

Gideon
Gideon

Judge who defeated the Midianites with 300 men, demonstrating God's power

Samson
Samson

Nazirite judge with supernatural strength who fought the Philistines

Jephthah
Jephthah

Outcast who became judge and defeated the Ammonites

Moses
Moses

Prophet and Lawgiver

Caleb
Caleb

Faithful Spy, Companion of Joshua

Ephraim
Ephraim

Joseph's Younger Son, Blessed with the Right Hand

Places in This Chapter

Canaan
Canaan

The Promised Land where Israel settled but failed to completely drive out the inhabitants

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Bethel
Bethel

Location of the tabernacle during parts of the judges period

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Shiloh
Shiloh

Central sanctuary where the tabernacle was located

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Moab
Moab

Moab was a region east of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the descendants of Lot's son Moab. Ruth was a Moabite who famously left her homeland to follow Naomi to Bethlehem. Israel often had conflict with Moab, though King David entrusted his parents to the king of Moab for protection.

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Gilgal
Gilgal

Gilgal was the first camp of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River. Joshua set up twelve stones here as a memorial. The Israelites were circumcised here and celebrated their first Passover in Canaan. Samuel judged Israel at Gilgal, and Saul was confirmed as king here.

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Position in Book

Incomplete ConquestChapters 1-2
The JudgesChapters 3-16

Stories of the judges including Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson who delivered Israel from various oppressors.

Moral and Spiritual DeclineChapters 17-21

Bible Bites

A left-handed hero the enemy never saw coming

The judge Ehud was left-handed, so he hid his sword on his right thigh, the side guards never checked (Judges 3:15-21). His 'weakness' became the very reason his surprise attack succeeded. The Bible loves an unlikely hero.

Judges 3:15-21