Judges 3:13 Meaning Explained

Judges 3:13

He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The king of Moab didn't just conquer Israel; he strategically allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, historical enemies of God's people. By seizing the "city of palm trees" – likely Jericho or its surrounding fertile area – he gained a crucial stronghold near the Jordan River, controlling passage and preventing any help from reaching Israel east of the river.

What Judges 3:13 means

The Israelites have once again turned away from God, so He allows them to be oppressed by Eglon, the king of Moab. Eglon gathers forces from his neighbors, the Ammonites and Amalekites, who were long-standing enemies of Israel, and launches an invasion. He first defeats Israel east of the Jordan River and then crosses over to seize control of Jericho, the "city of palms," establishing a presence there to secure his territory and further subjugate the people.

The Lord Strengthens Oppressors

Have you ever wondered if God actively 'strengthens' those who oppose His people? This passage says He did. Let's explore why.

The passage begins by noting that the Israelites had 'again done evil in the sight of the LORD' (Judges 3:12). Because of their repeated sin, God 'strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel' (Judges 3:12). This isn't to say God caused Eglon's sin or ambition, but rather that He sovereignly allowed and used his power and aggression to discipline His own people.

This is a tough truth! It shows us that God doesn't just passively watch when His people stray. He is actively involved, even using external forces to bring His children back. The strengthening wasn't an endorsement of Eglon, but a consequence for Israel's disobedience.

A Coalition of Old Foes

The king of Moab didn't fight alone. He gathered a group of Israel's long-standing enemies. What does this tell us about spiritual warfare?

Eglon didn't just bring his own Moabite army; he 'gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek' (Judges 3:13). These weren't random attackers.

Ammonites: Descendants of Lot's son, closely related to Moab and also rivals of Israel.
Amalekites: Israel's bitter, ancient enemies, who attacked them shortly after the Exodus (Exodus 17:8-16) and were cursed by God.

This coalition highlights that opposition to God's people often comes from a unified front of familiar adversaries. They represent deep-seated hatred and a consistent desire to thwart God's purposes. When we face challenges, it's often not just one isolated problem, but a combination of forces that are spiritually aligned against us.

Possessing the City of Palms

The enemy didn't just defeat Israel; they 'possessed the city of palm trees.' What's the significance of this particular location?

The 'city of palm trees' is almost certainly Jericho (Deuteronomy 34:3). This is incredibly symbolic. Jericho was the Israel conquered after entering the Promised Land – a powerful victory secured by God's direct intervention (Joshua 6).

Historical context

Written: Likely between 1000 and 600 BC, covering the events of the Judges period.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel, though the book itself suggests multiple authors and editors over time.
Location: Written from the land of Israel, likely during the period of the Judges.
Genre: Narrative history with elements of theological interpretation and etiology (explaining origins). A key feature is the recurring cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

Historical background

Though the city of Jericho itself lay in ruins, its strategic location and fertile plains made it a key prize. King Eglon's occupation of this 'city of palms' wasn't about rebuilding the ancient city, but about securing a vital frontier for his extended Moabite dominion.

c. 1400 BC
Joshua Destroys Jericho
After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the city of Jericho was utterly destroyed by Joshua and its inhabitants put to the sword. Its ruins were cursed, with a pronouncement that rebuilding it would come at the cost of a firstborn son.
c. 1300-1100 BC (Judges Period)
Israel's Cycle of Sin and Oppression
Following Joshua's death and the elders' passing, the Israelites repeatedly turned to idolatry. This cycle led to periods of oppression by surrounding nations, followed by repentance and deliverance through judges.
c. 1100 BC
Moabite Confederacy Forms
The king of Moab, Eglon, forms an alliance with the Ammonites and Amalekites. These groups, long-standing enemies of Israel, were likely stirred by Israel's renewed spiritual unfaithfulness.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
Eglon Invades and Occupies Jericho Region
King Eglon leads his allied forces to defeat Israel, likely targeting the eastern tribes first. He then crosses the Jordan River and seizes the territory of Jericho, establishing a base for Moabite control.

Key themes

01God's sovereign strengthening
02Israel's repeated sin
03Enemy confederation
04Conquest of territory

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 34:3

This passage describes the "valley of the palm trees" near Jericho, directly linking the location mentioned in Judges to a place of significance for Israel's early history and God's promises.

Judges 1:16

This verse also refers to the 'city of the palm trees' (Jericho) and connects its possession to the tribe of Judah, highlighting the recurring theme of Israel taking and losing territory due to their faithfulness or lack thereof.

Exodus 17:8-16

This account details the first significant conflict between Israel and the Amalekites, establishing the Amalekites as long-standing and bitter enemies of Israel, which contextualizes their alliance with Moab against Israel in Judges.

Genesis 19:36-38

This passage explains the origins of both Moab and Ammon from Lot's descendants, illustrating their close kinship and shared heritage as neighbors and sometimes adversaries to Israel.

Judges 10:6-9

This passage describes another period of oppression where the Ammonites and Philistines oppress Israel, showing a pattern of Israel falling into sin and facing judgment from surrounding nations, including the Ammonites.

Scholarly commentary

Judges 3:12-30: "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD."

Jud 3:12-30. Ehud Slays Eglon.12-14. the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord—The Israelites, deprived of the moral and political influences of Othniel, were not long in following their native bias to idolatry.the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab—The reigning monar…
jfb

Judges 3:13: "And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees."

And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek,.... Either the Lord gathered them to Eglon, inclined them to enter into a confederacy with him, to assist in the war against Israel; or the king of Moab got them to join with him in it, they being his neighbours, and enemies to Israel, and especially Amalek: and went and smote Israel; first the two t…
gill

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What Judges 3:13 means

Historical context

Written: Likely between 1000 and 600 BC, covering the events of the Judges period.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel, though the book itself suggests multiple authors and editors over time.
Location: Written from the land of Israel, likely during the period of the Judges.
Genre: Narrative history with elements of theological interpretation and etiology (explaining origins). A key feature is the recurring cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

Historical background

c. 1400 BC

Joshua Destroys Jericho

After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the city of Jericho was utterly destroyed by Joshua and its inhabitants put to the sword. Its ruins were cursed, with a pronouncement that rebuilding it would come at the cost of a firstborn son.

c. 1300-1100 BC (Judges Period)

Israel's Cycle of Sin and Oppression

Following Joshua's death and the elders' passing, the Israelites repeatedly turned to idolatry. This cycle led to periods of oppression by surrounding nations, followed by repentance and deliverance through judges.

c. 1100 BC

Moabite Confederacy Forms

The king of Moab, Eglon, forms an alliance with the Ammonites and Amalekites. These groups, long-standing enemies of Israel, were likely stirred by Israel's renewed spiritual unfaithfulness.

c. 1100 BC— this verse

Eglon Invades and Occupies Jericho Region

King Eglon leads his allied forces to defeat Israel, likely targeting the eastern tribes first. He then crosses the Jordan River and seizes the territory of Jericho, establishing a base for Moabite control.