Ehud and King Eglon

BIBLE STORY

Ehud and King Eglon

Judges 3 tells how the left-handed judge Ehud kills the Moabite king Eglon and leads Israel in revolt against Moabite rule.

THE STORY

Ehud and King Eglon

Israel cries out under Moabite oppression, and Ehud son of Gera, a Benjaminite described as left-handed, becomes the deliverer.

Ehud makes a double-edged sword and straps it beneath his clothing on his right thigh.

He leads the delegation bringing tribute to King Eglon of Moab.

After the tribute is delivered, Ehud sends the other carriers away but returns to the king, claiming to have a secret message.

Eglon dismisses his attendants and meets Ehud privately in an upper room.

Ehud says he has a message from God, draws the concealed sword with his left hand, and drives it into the king.

Ehud locks the doors and escapes while Eglon’s servants delay entering because they assume the king wants privacy.

By the time they discover Eglon dead, Ehud has reached the hill country of Ephraim.

He sounds the trumpet, rallies Israel, and seizes the Jordan crossings so the Moabites cannot escape.

Moab is subdued, and the land experiences a long period of rest. The story’s unusual details make the deliverance memorable while fitting the larger Judges pattern of crisis, cry, deliverer, and temporary peace.

READ IT IN THE BIBLE

Read the Original Account

This retelling is an original BibleVerses.com narrative. Read the primary biblical passages for the source account and full context.

Judges 3:12–30

Ehud delivers tribute to Eglon, kills the king, and leads Israel against Moab.

CONTINUE THE STORY

Related Bible Stories

PRIMARY SOURCES

Key Bible Passages

Judges 3:12–30

Ehud delivers tribute to Eglon, kills the king, and leads Israel against Moab.

STORY OVERVIEW

What Happens in Ehud and King Eglon?

Judges 3 tells how the left-handed judge Ehud kills the Moabite king Eglon and leads Israel in revolt against Moabite rule.

PEOPLE

People in This Story

Ehud

Left-handed Benjaminite raised up to deliver Israel

Eglon

King of Moab who oppresses Israel

PLACES

Where the Story Happens

Moab

Kingdom ruled by Eglon.

Jericho / City of Palms

Region associated with Moabite control in the story.

THEMES

Topics in This Story

DeliveranceCourageJudgment
WHY IT MATTERS

Why This Story Matters

Ehud’s story is an early example of Judges’ recurring cycle of oppression and deliverance and uses surprise, reversal, and Ehud’s left-handedness as central narrative features.

CONTEXT

Historical and Literary Context

After Israel again does evil, Eglon of Moab gains power over Israel with Ammonite and Amalekite allies. Israel serves him for eighteen years.

KEEP READING

Related Bible Stories

CITE THIS PAGE

Citing This BibleVerses.com Research Guide

Citation styles vary by instructor and institution. These are convenient starting points; students should follow their assigned style guide.

MLA-style starting point
“Ehud and King Eglon.” BibleVerses.com, https://www.bibleverses.com/bible/stories/ehud-and-king-eglon/. Accessed October 2, 2026.
Chicago-style starting point
BibleVerses.com. “Ehud and King Eglon.” Accessed October 2, 2026. https://www.bibleverses.com/bible/stories/ehud-and-king-eglon/.