John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord , etc.] Towards the close of the eight years’ bondage, as it may be supposed, groaning under the oppressive taxes laid upon them, and the bondage they were brought into: and the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel ; he heard their cry, and sent them a saviour, whose spirit he stirred up, and whom he qualified for this service: who delivered them ; out of the hands of the king of Mesopotamia, and freed them from his oppressions: [even] Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother ; the same that took Debir, and married Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, ( Judges 1:12,13); who now very probably was a man in years.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-11 - The first judge was Othniel: even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous. Soon after Israel's settlement in Canaan their purity began to be corrupted, and their peace disturbed. But affliction makes those cr to God who before would scarcely speak to him. God returned in mercy to them for their deliverance. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel The Spirit of wisdom and courage to qualify him for the service, an the Spirit of power to excite him to it. He first judged Israel reproved and reformed them, and then went to war. Let sin at home be conquered, that worst of enemies, then enemies abroad will be mor easily dealt with. Thus let Christ be our Judge and Lawgiver, then he will save us.
Original Hebrew ויזעקו2199 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 אל413 יהוה3068 ויקם6965 יהוה3068 מושׁיע3467 לבני1121 ישׂראל3478 ויושׁיעם3467 את853 עתניאל6274 בן1121 קנז7073 אחי251 כלב3612 הקטן6996 ממנו׃4480
