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I. THE FIRST CYCLE

The record of the first cycle is given in 3:7-11a.

A. Israel’s Evil in Forsaking Jehovah

The children of Israel did evil in forsaking Jehovah to serve the Baalim and the Asheroth (v. 7).

B. Jehovah’s Anger Burning against Israel

Because Israel did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, His anger burned against them (v. 8a).

C. Jehovah Selling Israel
into the Hand of the King of Mesopotamia

Jehovah sold Israel into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, and Israel served him eight years (v. 8b).

D. Israel Crying Out to Jehovah

The children of Israel cried out to Jehovah (v. 9a).

E. Jehovah Raising Up a Savior

Jehovah raised up a savior, Othniel the son of Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, and he saved Israel from Cushan-rishathaim (vv. 9b-10).

F. The Land Having Rest Forty Years

The end of the first cycle was that the land had rest forty years (v. 11a).

II. THE SECOND CYCLE

In 3:11b-31 we have the second cycle of Israel’s miserable history.

A. Othniel, the Judge, Dying

In verse 11b we are told that Othniel, the judge, died.

B. Israel Again Doing That Which Was Evil
in the Sight of Jehovah

After the death of Othniel, the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah (v. 12a).

C. Jehovah Strengthening
Eglon King of Moab against Israel

Because Israel did that which was evil in His sight, Jehovah strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel. Eglon gathered the children of Ammon and Amalek to himself and went and struck Israel, taking possession of the city of palms (vv. 12b-13).

D. Israel Serving Eglon King of Moab
Eighteen Years

Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years (v. 14).

E. Israel Crying to Jehovah,
and Jehovah Raising Up a Savior for Them

Israel cried to Jehovah, and Jehovah raised up a savior for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjaminite (v. 15a).

F. Ehud Killing Eglon King of Moab
and Defeating the Moabites

Ehud killed Eglon king of Moab by a scheme, and then he defeated the Moabites with the children of Israel from the hill country of Ephraim, killing about ten thousand Moabites (vv. 15b-29).

G. Moab Being Subdued by Israel,
and the Land Having Rest Eighty Years

Moab was subdued that day by Israel, and the land had rest eighty years (v. 30).

H. Shamgar the Son of Anath Also Saving Israel

After Ehud there was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. He also saved Israel (v. 31).


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Life-Study of Joshua, Judges & Ruth   pg 39