But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.
But Ehud turned back from the stone quarries near Gilgal and said, 'I have a secret message for you, O king.' The king said, 'Be quiet.' And everyone who was standing around him left the room.
Ehud cleverly gets the evil king alone by claiming he has a private message, setting up his plan to deliver Israel from oppression.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of the Judges, Israel was under oppression from King Eglon of Moab after turning away from God, leading to 18 years of subjugation. Ehud, a left-handed warrior from the tribe of Benjamin, was raised up by God as a deliverer and pretended to have a secret message to gain access to the king. In this verse, Ehud turns back from the stone quarries near Gilgal and dismisses the king's attendants by claiming a private errand, setting the stage for his bold act of assassination.
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