Judges 3:12-26

¹² Again the Israelites offended the LORD, who because of this offense strengthened Eglon, king of Moab, against Israel.

¹³ In alliance with the Ammonites and Amalekites, he attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the city of palms.

¹⁴ The Israelites then served Eglon, king of Moab, for eighteen years.

¹⁵ But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a savior, the Benjaminite Ehud, son of Gera, who was left-handed. It was by him that the Israelites sent their tribute to Eglon, king of Moab.

¹⁶ Ehud made himself a two-edged dagger a foot long, and wore it under his clothes over his right thigh.

¹⁷ He presented the tribute to Eglon, king of Moab, who was very fat,

¹⁸ and after the presentation went off with the tribute bearers.

¹⁹ He returned, however, from where the idols are, near Gilgal, and said, I have a private message for you, O king. And the king said, Silence! Then when all his attendants had left his presence,

²⁰ and Ehud went in to him where he sat alone in his cool upper room, Ehud said, I have a message from God for you. So the king rose from his chair,

²¹ and then Ehud with his left hand drew the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into Eglon's belly.

²² The hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade because he did not withdraw the dagger from his body.

²³ Then Ehud went out into the hall, shutting the doors of the upper room on him and locking them.

²⁴ When Ehud had left and the servants came, they saw that the doors of the upper room were locked, and thought, He must be easing himself in the cool chamber.

²⁵ They waited until they finally grew suspicious. Since he did not open the doors of the upper room, they took the key and opened them. There on the floor, dead, lay their lord!

²⁶ During their delay Ehud made good his escape and, passing the idols, took refuge in Seirah.