1-2. And the Lord had another reason for letting these enemies stay. The Israelites needed to learn how to fight in war, just as their ancestors had done. Each new generation would have to learn by fighting
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.