Biblical Criticism
Coogan argues that the story of Ehud was likely a folk tale of local origin that was edited by the Deuteronomistic historians. The Deuteronomistic historians “incorporated a variety of previously existing sources into their narrative of life in early Israel” and the story of Ehud is one such example of a “previously existing source”, that has been edited to include “the cyclical pattern” typical of the stories of the major judges. This pattern consists of apostasy, hardship, crying out to the Lord, and rescue and it is clearly present in the tale of Ehud: apostasy and hardship occur in Judges 3.12, “The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord strengthened King Eglon of Moab against Israel.” The “crying out to the Lord” and the subsequent rescue are evident in Judges 3.15: “but when the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera.” The rather lively and humorous tale is ended with the refrain of “and the land had rest 80 years,” (Judges 3.30) an editorially constructed ending typical to Gideon and other “major” judge stories in the book of Judges.
Dr Barry Webb of Moore Theological College sees Ehud as 'directed by the Lord, who used this most unlikely hero to bring deliverance to his undeserving but desperate people'.
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