Jericho and Ehud

QUESTION: Jericho and Ehud

ANSWER:

Jericho plays a minor role in the story of the Judge Ehud, in which he assassinates Eglon of Moab living in a palace there. In Judges 3:12-21, we read:

Once again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and because they did this evil the LORD gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Jericho. The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.

Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a foot and a half long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way the men who had carried it. At the idols near Gilgal he himself turned back and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king."

The king said, "Quiet!" And all his attendants left him.

Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his summer palace and said, "I have a message from God for you." As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's belly.

Jericho – The Residence of Eglon
Archaeologist John Garstang excavated at Jericho and found a 14th or 13th century residence which could be described as a small palace or villa, designated the “Middle Building.” At the time, there was no town to rule over, and the building was abandoned after a short occupation. However, artifacts discovered there indicate a wealthy inhabitant, and some believe this could have been Eglon’s residence and the site of the assassination.

Compliments of Titus and our friends at Drive Thru History. Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved in the original.