Judges 3:17-25 - Plunged it into the king's belly

3:17-19

We are now told that king Eglon was a very fat man. This would be relevant for later developments. It is not a criticism of the man, indeed it indicates that he was wealthy enough to have lots of food. After Ehud and the travelling party had reached “the stone images near Gilgal”, he went back to Eglon claiming to have a secret message for him. The stone images are of no importance other than indicating where they had travelled to. Eglon sent his attendants away and Eglon and Ehud were now alone.

3:20-23

Ehud approached Eglon and claimed to have a message from God. As the king came close to Ehud, Ehud stuck the knife into the king’s belly. The king’s bowels discharged with the shock, and the sword sunk into the folds of fat! Ehud left, locking the door. This, together with his telling the attendants that he had a secret message, meant he would have time to get away.

3:24,25

After Ehud’s departure the room was locked, and the servants were loath to go in, thinking he was on the toilet! Eventually they could wait no longer and they unlocked the door. Of course, they found that the king was dead.