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
This occurs during Israel's period under Moabite oppression, when King Eglon had conquered parts of Israel. Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, had just delivered tribute to the king but returned with a secret plan to assassinate him. Gilgal was a significant location where Israel had first camped after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
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