Othniel was already distinguished in Joshuas lifetime as a brave and successful leader. See Jos 15:16-17.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Jdg 3:9-11

Othniel the son of Kenaz . . . and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.

The controlling man

It is the personal soul that is the basis of all action. Your machinery is soulless, and the true driver, after all, is the man with his hand on the throttle. You invent, and you multiply motions, and actions, and skilled operations; but you never can dispense with the brain and mind and heart of the controlling man. In the same way, all movements on this earth need to head up into personal souls. God sets a man in charge of the machinery, and as the stars and suns revolve in their cycles, as the events of the human race happen and are run off the reel, they get their explanation only from the personal souls that have been in the movements. When the time of the Reformation was at hand, Luther shakes himself in yonder cell and comes forth. When the thick mists of Popish darkness were to be rolled away from Scotland, John Knox appeared. It is the same all down the ages: men, personal souls, are called forth to lead events to their God-destination and God-purpose. Events need men. So with God! When the time came, God found the Person who would undertake this great purpose of redeeming love, who would atone for man, and suffer on the Cross. (John Robertson.)

Othniel

Othniel, the first of the judges, seems one of the best. He is not a man of mere rude strength and dashing enterprise; nor is he one who runs the risk of sudden elevation of power, which few can stand. A person of acknowledged honour and sagacity, he sees the problem of the time and does his best to solve it. He is almost unique in this, that he appears without offence, without shame. And his judgeship is honourable to Israel. It points to a higher level of thought and greater seriousness among the tribes than in the century when Jephthah and Samson were the acknowledged heroes. The nation had not lost its reverence for the great names and hopes of the Exodus when it obeyed Othniel and followed him to battle. (R. A. Watson, M. A.)

Political leadership

In modern times there would seem to be scarcely any understanding of the fact that no man can do real service as a political leader unless he is a fearer of God, one who loves righteousness more than country, and serves the Eternal before any constituency. Sometimes a nation low enough in morality has been so far awake to its need and danger as to give the helm, at least for a time, to a servant of truth and righteousness and to follow where he leads. But more commonly is it the case that political leaders are chosen anywhere rather than from the ranks of the spiritually earnest. It is oratorical dash now, and now the cleverness of the intriguer, or the power of rank and wealth, that catches popular favour and exalts a man in the State. Members of parliament, cabinet ministers, high officials need have no devoutness, no spiritual seriousness or insight. A nation generally seeks no such character in its legislators, and is often content with less than decent morality. Is it then any wonder that politics are arid and governments a series of errors? We need men who have the true idea of liberty and will set nations nominally Christian on the way of fulfilling their mission to the world. When the people want a spiritual leader he will appear; when they are ready to follow one of high and pure temper he will arise and show the way. But the plain truth is that our chiefs in the State, in society and business must be the men who represent the general opinion, the general aim. While we are in the main a worldly people, the best guides, those of spiritual mind, will never be allowed to carry their plans. And so we come back to the main lesson of the whole history, that only as each citizen is thoughtful of God and of duty, redeemed from selfishness and the world, can there be a true commonwealth, honourable government, beneficent civilisation. (R. A. Watson, M. A.)

Prayer helpful to leadership

You may be as unlike a warrior, as unlike one of the Lord Jesus Christs Ironsides as unlike can be, yet you have a great deal to do with the making and shaping and sending of them. Can you feel the woes of Israel? Can you shed tears over her? Have you a large, sympathetic heart? And, summing it all up in one word, can you cry? can you pray? When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord sent this mighty Othniel, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord came Ah! I think we are weak there. We would have more great preachers, we would have more revival movements, in the large meaning of the word revival–not only the ingathering of sinners, but the up-building and brightening of saints–if we had more people who sigh and cry for the sad condition of Gods inheritance. Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. Tossing often on a bed of sickness, or weakness, or pain, do you sigh and cry? Then will God be getting ready His Othniels, and Ehuds, and Shamgars. (John McNeill.)

The gift of the Spirit of the Lord

This clearly teaches us that all gifts of the Spirit, and all excellent effects thereof, they are none of ours–they are the Lords; He giveth and distributeth them at His pleasure, as we see here that it was the Spirit of the Lord that came upon Othniel, whereby he brought to pass the great things that he did. And whatsoever is of any note in man for price and excellency it is all of God, and cometh from His mere bounty. Alas! there is no bird stripped of her feathers more bare and naked than man in himself is void of goodness; for what hath he that he hath not received? Insomuch as all that he hath to glory of is his sin–a most holy and approved truth, which giveth God His due, and layeth out man in his colours, that he is nothing else, if he rob not God of His honour, and prank not up himself in his gifts, he is nothing else but naked, poor, and a mirror of misery: (R. Rogers.)

Judgment, then deliverance

Judgment and then deliverance; judgment of the mistakes and sins men have committed, thereby bringing themselves into trouble; conviction of sin and righteousness; thereafter guidance and help that their feet may be set on a rock and their goings established–this is the right sequence. That God should help the proud, the self-sufficient out of their troubles in order that they may go on in pride and vain glory, or that He should save the vicious from the consequences of their vice and leave them to persist in their iniquity, would be no Divine work. The new mind and the right spirit must be put in men, they must bear their condemnation, lay it to heart and repent, there must be a revival of holy purpose and aspiration first. Then the oppressors will be driven from the land, the weight of trouble lifted from the soul. (R. A. Watson, M. A.)

The making of a hero

This is a book of heroes, of strong men, and strong women too, who, in a time of storm and stress, saved their own souls and the souls of those around them also. It will brace you up, invigorate, and inspire you. It is said of Pitt that he breathed his own lofty spirit into his country. No man, said a soldier of the time, ever entered Mr. Pitts room who did not feel himself a braver man when he came out than when he went in. And no man can read this book sympathetically without being moved to emulation of the mighty souls that move across its pages. It tells us very briefly, but suggestively, the story of twelve people who helped to make Israel, and of these the first, and in some respects the best also, is Othniel, the son of Kenaz. Many of these saviours, as they are called, were far from being perfect characters. But in Othniels life, as we have it, there is no hint of anything that offends either the taste or the conscience. His name means Gods Lion; and throughout he seems to have been a brave, pure, noble man. And yet the age in which he lived was a very corrupt one. His surroundings were very unfavourable to the growth of character. There was no king or leader in Israel–every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Idolatry and licentiousness abounded. And the task set before you, young men and women, is not so very unlike that which faced Othniel. You must first save yourselves–you must, by Gods help, save your own souls. You must also help God to save the world. This is your task and your privilege–both to be saved and to be saviours. But how did Othniel become a hero and a saviour of his people?

I. Caleb said He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz took it. That is the first fact given us from Othniels life, and that is all that is said about it–Othniel took it–took the stronghold of the mighty sons of Anak–the oracle city of idolatry before which even Caleb quailed. Othniel took it. But many things go to the making of such a deed as that.

1. First, of course, comes courage. It was an undertaking full of desperate difficulties. What was needed was not so much physical as moral courage. The courage to follow is common enough; it is the courage to lead that is rare. Othniel had this soul-quality. He led the way and took the city. Well, if you young people are bent upon saving yourselves from the evil that is in the world, you too must have and must exercise this soul-courage. It often needs more courage to handle the yard-wand than the sword–to be a business-man than to be a soldier. Daily life, all hum-drum as it looks, has its Marathons, its Waterloos, and its Minas; its Six Hundreds that ride into the jaws of death.

2. But courage, what is it? How does any one get courage? Well, if we take another look at Othniel we shall see that the lion in him was not born on the day Debir was taken. It was already strong, matured, full grown. Born long before this in the desert, it had been nourished by daily deeds of unrewarded valour. Acts such as this take years to grow. All his life he had been unconsciously preparing for this. Yes, that is the story of all courage. God gives it to us as He gives all things in seed form. Every heart is full of germs–courage-germs among them. If we cultivate any germ it grows and bears fruit; if we neglect it it dies. If you want courage you must grow it from a seed–that is you must practise the little you have.

3. Once more: This deed of Othniels lays bare to us the central secret of all true power–faith. You are familiar with great facts of which Othniel never even dreamt. But your salvation does not depend on how many beliefs you carry about with you, but on how much do you believe any of them. Any truth becomes a saving truth to the soul that trusts it and through it trusts God. Thus this little sentence, unpromising as it looks, gives us three things that go to the making of a hero: courage, habit, faith, and the greatest of these is faith.

II. And he (Caleb) gave him Achsah his daughter to wife: and it came to pass when she came unto him that she moved him to ask of her father a field. This, the second of the three facts of Othniels history, introduces us into a very different set of circumstances, a different climate of life in fact.

1. Debir is taken; Caleb has kept his word; the bride is coming to her new home. Applause is not much for a young pair to live on; so, amid the excitement and the joy, this fair daughter of the wilderness kept her eyes open and her wits about her. She noted the situation in which her new home lay. It was south land. It had no water. She moved her husband to ask for the field that had the springs of water. But Othniel is better at fighting than asking. Her humour, her sense, and her exquisite tact carried all before them. Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

2. But what has this to do with the making of a hero? Much in every way. Othniel was brave enough but he had a great deal to learn. He had taken Debir with his sword, but here at his own door he is confronted with a situation in which his sword is useless. Evidently he must learn the use of other weapons. He must master the art of gracious speech. He must acquire tact. There are knots which it avails not to cut, they must be patiently untied by skilful fingers. He is to help in making a people who shall never become formidable as a military power–never produce an Alexander or a Caesar–who shall ultimately lose all their swords, lose every inch of their territory and every stone of their citadels, and yet shall overcome their enemies through sheer force of character. That he may do this God sent him to the home-school and the farm-school to learn those homely virtues of common sense, patience, and tact, without which strength and courage were of little avail.

3. Well, you too, young people, must not despise these.

III. The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord . . . the children of Israel served Cashan-rishathaim eight years . . . the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. Many years–forty, perhaps, or even more–have passed since Othniel and Achsah took possession of their new home, and we are confronted with a new and painful situation. The Lords people forgat the Lord and served the Baalim–that was their sin! They served Cushan, King of Mesopotamia–that was their punishment Egypt and Pharaoh were not so far away as they thought. Egypt, the land of bondage, is wherever sin is, and Pharaoh follows iniquity as the night the day. And the Lord raised up a saviour . . . even Othniel, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. He raised him to this glorious height of manhood by breathing into him His own breath of love and life. There were many reasons why Othniel should do nothing. The chief, perhaps, was that apparently he could do nothing. Perhaps Achsah was another–and the farm a third. Yes, depend upon it there were many voices both within and without that bade Othniel beware of meddling with things beyond his power. But the still small voice called. He put himself, all that he was, all that he had, upon the altar, and he judged Israel. He called the erring people back to truth and duty. Led by Gods spirit he began there, with the peoples own sin first. Then he went out to war . . . and his hand prevailed against Cushan, and the land had rest forty years. Thus Othniel, even Othniel, became a saviour of his people, and the lion-like man of war, under the influence of Gods spirit, was changed into a living prophecy of the Lamb of God, the Saviour of the world. And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, died, having in a rude, hard age, nobly sustained the character of the Happy Warrior. The phase Othniel–a saviour, is at once his epitaph and his eulogy. Well, even so are noble lives still made. Faith, patience, wisdom, and the breath of God are the great life-building powers. Saviourhood is the end of all the ways of God in a soul. He makes some men strong in order that they may help the weak. He gives wisdom to some that they may thereby guide the foolish. He makes men holy in order that they may turn the unholy from the error of their way. Now, young people, will you be made strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might? Around you, in numbers that Othniel never dreamed of, are men that serve the Baalim and serve Cushan, that sin, and suffer for their sin in mind, body, and estate. Will you help to save these? (J. M. Gibbon.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 9. Raised up – Othniel, the son of Kenaz] This noble Hebrew was of the tribe of Judah, and nephew and son-in-law to Caleb, whose praise stands without abatement in the sacred records. Othniel had already signalized his valour in taking Kirjath-sepher, which appears to have been a very hazardous exploit. By his natural valour, experience in war, and the peculiar influence of the Divine Spirit, he was well qualified to inspire his countrymen with courage, and to lead them successfully against their oppressors.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Cried unto the Lord, i.e. prayed fervently for deliverance.

Calebs younger brother; of which see Poole “Jdg 1:13“.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

9. when the children of Israel criedunto the LordIn their distress they had recourse to earnestprayer, accompanied by humble and penitent confession of theirerrors.

Othniel(See on Jos15:16; Jud 1:13). Hismilitary experience qualified him for the work, while the gallantexploits he was known to have performed, gained him the fullconfidence of his countrymen in his ability as a leader.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord,…. 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, Jud 1:12; who now very probably was a man in years.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(9) Cried unto the Lord.In the time of their trouble, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heardest them from heaven; and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them saviours (Neh. 9:27). Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses (Psa. 107:13; see, too, Psa. 26:5; Psa. 78:34; Psa. 106:44).

A deliverer.Heb., moshia; LXX., a saviour. (Comp. Luk. 1:69; Act. 13:23.) The same word as is used for the judges in Heb. 9:27.

Othniel.The name means lion of God. St. Jerome makes it mean my time of God, and spells it Athaniel

The son of Kenaz.(See Jdg. 1:13.) Josephus, to escape the apparent improbability of a brother of Caleb being young enough to marry Calebs daughter, when Caleb was past eighty-five, calls him a person of the tribe of Judah. He rightly regards the events of Judges 17-21 as preceding the judgeship of Othniel; but they can hardly have happened during the oppression of Cushan-Rishathaim.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

9. When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord Here is a sudden revival of memory. Adversity banishes that forgetfulness of God which prosperity has produced.

The Lord raised up a deliverer There is an adage among the Jews that “when the tale of bricks is increased, Moses comes forth.” Every nation has had its national saviour, who has stepped to the front of its decimated armies, and lifted up its drooping banner, and inspired it with his own indomitable courage and sublime faith. Not only true piety but true philosophy must regard such men at such times as the gift of the God of nations.

Othniel See on Jos 15:17. The fact that Othniel, whether he were brother or nephew of Caleb, was the first judge of Israel, shows that Chushan’s oppression came not long after the death of Joshua.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘ And when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel who saved them, even Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.’

“The children of Israel” can refer to a group large or small, depending on the facts. The point is that they were a part of the tribal confederacy and had their part in the covenant. Time passed and the required tribute became larger until it became a burden too heavy to bear. Then in their distress their thoughts turned to Yahweh, the Lord of Battle, the Deliverer. Baal was helpless in a situation like this. So they cried to Him and remembered the covenant. They began to take seriously their covenant obligations.

“And Yahweh raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel who saved them, even Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.” This may have been the result of their gathering with the tribal confederacy and seeking help from the tribe of Judah. Possibly they had previously been a little lax in observing the covenant requirements. Or perhaps Judah too were being subjected to tribute until the tribute became too demanding and the Spirit of Yahweh stirred one of their former champions. The champion was the same Othniel who captured Debir, and married Achsah, the daughter of Caleb (Jdg 1:13). He was the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Observe; before Israel’s deliverance there was a cry to God for relief. How sweet is it to see when from the first descent of grace in the heart, the soul goes forth in the ascending prayer for mercy. Dearest Jesus! let thy prevenient grace be shed abroad in my heart; and then, the earnest supplication for mercy in thy all prevailing blood and righteousness, will be sure to bring relief down.

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Jdg 3:9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, [even] Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.

Ver. 9. And the Lord raised up a deliverer. ] Heb., A saviour. A word so emphatical, that other tongues can hardly find a fit word to express it, as Cicero observeth of the Greek word .

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

deliverer = saviour.

delivered = saved. Compare Luk 1:68-70.

Othniel. Compare Jos 15:16, Jos 15:17.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

am 2599, bc 1405, An, Ex, Is, 86

cried: Jdg 3:15, Jdg 4:3, Jdg 6:7, Jdg 10:10, 1Sa 12:10, Neh 9:27, Psa 22:5, Psa 78:34, Psa 106:41-44, Psa 107:13-19

raised up: Jdg 2:16

deliverer: Heb. saviour

Othniel: Jdg 1:13

Reciprocal: Jos 15:17 – Othniel Jdg 3:11 – Othniel Jdg 6:6 – cried 1Ch 4:13 – Kenaz 1Ch 27:15 – Othniel 2Ch 15:4 – in their trouble Psa 106:44 – General Oba 1:21 – saviours

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jdg 3:9-10. When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord When they returned to him in repentance, acknowledged him to be their only Protector and Saviour, and prayed fervently for pardon and deliverance; the Lord raised up a deliverer Qualified a person for, and called him to, the great work of delivering them. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him With extraordinary influence, endowing him with singular wisdom and courage, and stirring him up to this great undertaking. Judged Israel That is, pleaded and avenged the cause of Israel against their oppressors. And went out to war The sacred historian gives us no further account of this war than that Othniel obtained a victory over the king of Mesopotamia, and a peace which lasted forty years. This victory and deliverance of Israel, it seems, happened about thirty-eight years after the death of Joshua.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments