Derek Thomas

That's what Benjamin means, but he's left-handed.

Now, in verse 15, the people of Israel are crying out for a deliverer.

They're sending tribute to Eglon, the king of Moab.

This is a tax that...

Eglon, the king of Moab, is demanding of Israel, and they're sending all kinds of silver and gold and metal and anything of value.

And Ehud brings metal of his own, and he brings a dagger.

And it's described in the passage as being 18 inches long, that's a substantial dagger.

He has one intent.

He's planned it.

He's thought it through.

God has spoken to him.

He has a task to perform, and that is to kill Eglon, the king of Moab.

Now in verse 17, he presented the tribute to Eglon, king of Moab.

Now Eglon was a very fat man.

Well, the ESV doesn't spare any detail here.

He's an enormous figure with a big belly, and that's going to be important a little later on.

And Ehud's entourage bring the tribute.

He dismisses them.

He tells the king that he has something to say privately to him.

Eglon may be naive to dismiss his men and to be found on the rooftop alone with Ehud, perhaps because he was left-handed and maybe somewhat crippled.