And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him— He was moved by an extraordinary impulse from God to take upon him the government of the people; which none dared to do, unless appointed by God himself, who was the King of the nation. Josephus says, that God appeared to Othniel, so that he could not doubt of the divinity of his mission. The Chaldee Paraphrast seems to favour this opinion; for he says, that the spirit of prophesy was upon Othniel. Doubtless he, as well as the other judges, had not only an inward incitement to undertake the deliverance of God's people, but was likewise endowed with an extraordinary degree of courage and conduct. Respecting the chronological difficulties arising from the words in the 11th verse, we refer to Bishop Usher.
REFLECTIONS.—The children of Israel are scarcely settled before they forget God, and turn aside after idols; but their sufferings follow quick on their sins. We have here.
1. Their distress. Because they sold themselves to work wickedness, God sold them into the hand of the king of Mesopotamia. Note; If our troubles be even long or heavy, they are yet less than our iniquities deserve.
2. They who forget God in prosperity cry to him in their distress. It is by affliction that God usually brings home to him his back-sliding Israel. No doubt, they cried long and often before the mercy came, God exercising their faith and patience by keeping them for eight years waiting for the mercy. Note; We must always pray, and not faint. Though we do not always succeed at first; yet, if we persevere, we are sure not to be disappointed at last.
3. God heard and answered their prayer. Othniel, Caleb's son-in-law, whose valour was before recorded, is raised up for their deliverer. The Spirit of God moving him to undertake their work, and assisting him in the accomplishment of the undertaking, he judged Israel, reproved them for their iniquities, and brought them back to the worship of the true God; and under his hand the power of their oppressors was broken, and they had rest forty years. Note; (1.) There is a Saviour at hand for those who groan under the burden of sin. (2.) If we would have Christ to deliver us from outward troubles, be it our care to put away inward iniquity. (3.) They, who have Christ for their Saviour, shall find a longer rest than forty years, even to the years of eternity.