7. The Israelites sinned against the Lord by forgetting him and worshipping idols of Baal and Astarte.
8. This made the Lord angry, so he let Israel be defeated by King Cushan Rishathaim of northern Syria, who ruled Israel eight years and made everyone pay taxes.
9. The Israelites begged the Lord for help, and he chose Othniel to rescue them. Othniel was the son of Caleb's younger brother Kenaz.
10. The Spirit of the Lord took control of Othniel, and he led Israel in a war against Cushan Rishathaim. The Lord gave Othniel victory,
11. and Israel was at peace until Othniel died about forty years later.
12. Once more the Israelites started disobeying the Lord. So he let them be defeated by King Eglon of Moab,
13. who had joined forces with the Ammonites and the Amalekites to attack Israel. Eglon and his army captured Jericho.
14. Then he ruled Israel for eighteen years and forced the Israelites to pay heavy taxes.
15-16. The Israelites begged the Lord for help, and the Lord chose Ehud from the Benjamin tribe to rescue them. They put Ehud in charge of taking the taxes to King Eglon, but before Ehud went, he made a double-edged dagger. Ehud was left-handed, so he strapped the dagger to his right thigh, where it would be hidden under his robes.
17-18. Ehud and some other Israelites took the taxes to Eglon, who was a very fat man. As soon as they gave the taxes to Eglon, Ehud said it was time to go home.
19-20. Ehud went with the other Israelites as far as the statues at Gilgal. Then he turned back and went upstairs to the cool room where Eglon had his throne. Ehud said, “Your Majesty, I need to talk with you in private.”Eglon replied, “Don't say anything yet!” His officials left the room, and Eglon stood up as Ehud came closer.“Yes,” Ehud said, “I have a message for you from God!”
21. Ehud pulled out the dagger with his left hand and shoved it so far into Eglon's stomach