Definition: So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Judges 3:14. Itās a really important and slightly dramatic part of the story! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, the Israelites were exiled to Moab for 18 years. Let's unpack that a little further: āJudges 3ā: This refers to a specific period in Israelās history when they were under the leadership of Judge Joshuas. āChildren of Israelā: This is the group of people who were enslaved ā meaning they were forced to leave their homes and live under the rule of another country. āServed Eglon the king of Moabā: This means they were living under the control of King Eglon, who ruled over a territory called Moab. āEighteen yearsā: This is the key detail. Itās a long time ā 18 years ā that they were forced to live in exile. So, what happened? The Israelites were essentially exiled from their land and forced to live as slaves under King Eglon for a significant period. Why was this important? This story is a key part of the narrative because it shows: The consequences of disobedience: The Israelites had been disobeying God's commands ā particularly regarding worshiping other gods. Godās justice and punishment: It highlights that God isnāt always happy with humanity, and sometimes He will punish those who stray from His path. Does this remind you of any stories or events in your own life? --- Would you like me to: Explain why this story happened (the context)? Discuss the significance of this event within the larger story of Israelās history?