So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
Judges 3:14 belongs to the second division of Judges, chapters 3:7 to 16:31, which tells the stories of the twelve judges. It belongs to the experience of Israel's younger generation after the division of Canaan, when peoples left remaining in the land tested them. The judges were not judges in the modern sense but defenders and saviors raised up in times of crisis. The verse records a fearful backsliding and failure to follow God's instructions that brought Israel into oppression, captivity, and servitude under Moab, serving Eglon its king for eighteen years.
It shows one instance in the repeated pattern of backsliding from God followed by oppression, captivity, and servitude, followed by returning to God and receiving forgiveness and deliverance, with help coming through the judges God raised up. The eighteen years of servitude displays Israel's perversity and unbelief under the awful moral surroundings and demoralizing influences of the tribes they permitted to remain in the land of promise. The verse at the same time displays God's great mercy, goodness, and long-suffering. The eighteen years belong to a chronology that is difficult.
Judges 3:14 belongs to the second division of Judges, chapters 3:7 to 16:31, which tells the stories of the twelve judges. It belongs to the experience of Israel's younger generation after the division of Canaan, when peoples left remaining in the land tested them. The judges were not judges in the modern sense but defenders and saviors raised up in times of crisis. The verse records a fearful backsliding and failure to follow God's instructions that brought Israel into oppression, captivity, and servitude under Moab, serving Eglon its king for eighteen years.
It shows one instance in the repeated pattern of backsliding from God followed by oppression, captivity, and servitude, followed by returning to God and receiving forgiveness and deliverance, with help coming through the judges God raised up. The eighteen years of servitude displays Israel's perversity and unbelief under the awful moral surroundings and demoralizing influences of the tribes they permitted to remain in the land of promise. The verse at the same time displays God's great mercy, goodness, and long-suffering. The eighteen years belong to a chronology that is difficult.