Judges 3:7-11·~1 min

Othniel

Israel turns from the LORD to other gods, and the LORD responds by handing them over to Cushan-rishathaim. Their idolatry leads straight into years of foreign service.

S⁷o the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. ⁸Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years.

When Israel cries out, the LORD raises Othniel as deliverer. The Spirit of the LORD comes upon him, and the LORD gives him victory in war.

⁹But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them. ¹⁰The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.

The land rests for forty years under Othniel’s deliverance, until his death.

¹¹So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Section summaryIsrael forgets the LORD and serves the Baals and Asherahs, so the LORD gives them into the hand of a foreign king. When they cry out, He raises Othniel, and by the Spirit of the LORD Othniel defeats the oppressor and brings the land forty years of rest.

Role in the chapterThis first judge account establishes the basic rhythm of Judges in its clearest form. Israel sins, the LORD hands them over, they cry out, and He raises a deliverer who brings rest.