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Dive into the heroic tale of Ehud, a revered figure in the Bible, known for his bravery and strategy. Discover how Ehud’s unique talents and unwavering faith played a pivotal role in liberating the Israelites, offering timeless lessons on faith and determination.

This narrative, dating back approximately 3,000 years, recounts the story of Ehud, a figure of bravery and cunning. The tale begins with the Israelites once again straying from their faith, leading to their subjugation by Eglon, the king of Moab. Eglon, with the aid of the Ammonites and Amalekites, overpowered the Israelites and seized the city of palm trees, Jericho. Consequently, the Israelites were forced into servitude under Eglon for 18 years.

The Moabites, originally from the east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, had crossed the river and occupied the area around Jericho. Eglon, described as a very obese man, imposed a heavy and humiliating tribute on the Israelites for nearly two decades. However, his demand for tribute eventually provided an opportunity to overthrow him.

In their desperation, the Israelites called upon their God for help. In response, a savior was raised for them, Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite. The Israelites sent him to present the tribute to Eglon. The fact that Ehud was left-handed played a significant role in the events that followed.

Ehud: A Disabled Man or a Warrior?

The term “left-handed” is often interpreted as someone who is impaired or bound in the right hand. However, the Bible describes the left-handed men of the tribe of Benjamin as highly skilled warriors. They were adept at slinging stones with remarkable accuracy. Some scholars suggest that “left-handed” in this context refers to someone who could use both hands equally well, an ambidextrous person. The tribe of Benjamin was known for its left-handed warriors, who were skilled in using both hands for throwing stones or shooting arrows. This ability could have been developed by training the right hand to be as dexterous as the left, giving them an advantage in battle against enemies who were trained to fight right-handed warriors.

Ehud’s Strategy

Ehud prepared a double-edged sword, short enough to be concealed under his clothes. As swords were typically worn on the left side for easy access by right-handed warriors, Ehud, being left-handed, hid his weapon on his right thigh, a place less likely to be searched. He then presented the tribute to Eglon without any hindrance.

After presenting the tribute, Ehud dismissed the tribute bearers and returned to Eglon’s residence alone. He managed to gain a private audience with the king by claiming to have a secret message for him. Once alone with Eglon, Ehud revealed that his “word of God” was not a verbal message but an action. He swiftly drew his sword and stabbed Eglon in the belly. The sword, lacking a crosspiece, disappeared entirely into Eglon’s body, causing a discharge of fecal matter.

Ehud’s Escape

Ehud made a swift exit through an air hole, locking the doors of the roof chamber behind him. Eglon’s servants, upon finding the doors locked, assumed that the king was relieving himself. This delay allowed Ehud to escape and rally his countrymen. He led them to seize the strategic fords of the Jordan, cutting off the Moabites’ escape route. The Israelites then defeated the Moabites, killing about ten thousand men, and there was peace in the land for eighty years.

Lessons from the Story

The story of Ehud teaches us the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness and the rewards of repentance and faith. Ehud’s success was not due to his cleverness or the enemy’s incompetence, but because he was acting in accordance with God’s will to liberate His people. When God raised up judges for His people, He was with them, guiding and supporting them in their endeavors.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).