The King Who Was "Very Fat"
When we talk about biblical kings and their physical descriptions, one figure often comes to mind when the topic of weight is raised: King Eglon of Moab. While the Bible doesn't offer detailed physical profiles for most of its royal figures, Eglon is singled out for a specific characteristic that played a crucial role in a dramatic biblical event.
Who Was King Eglon?
King Eglon was a ruler of Moab, an ancient kingdom situated to the east of the Jordan River, directly opposite Jericho. The Israelites, after their exodus from Egypt and wanderings in the desert, were often in conflict with their surrounding neighbors. Moab was one such nation.
The Book of Judges, a historical account of the period after Joshua's leadership, details a significant oppression of the Israelites by Eglon. For eighteen years, the Moabites, along with their allies the Ammonites and Amalekites, subjugated the Israelites, making them pay tribute and live under their harsh rule.
The Story of Eglon's Demise
The most famous narrative involving King Eglon is found in Judges Chapter 3. It's a story of deliverance orchestrated by Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite judge. The Israelites cried out to the Lord for help, and God raised up Ehud to be their deliverer.
Ehud was tasked with delivering the annual tribute payment to King Eglon in his summer palace. The description of Eglon is presented in verses 15-16:
"But when the Israelites cried to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. The Israelites sent the tribute by him to King Eglon of Moab."
"Ehud made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, and bound it to his right thigh under his clothing."
Then, in verse 17, the critical detail about Eglon's physique is given:
"And when he had delivered the tribute to King Eglon, who was very fat, Ehud sent away the people who had carried the tribute."
The Assassination Plot
After delivering the tribute, Ehud sent the carriers away and returned himself from the stone quarries near Gilgal. He met Eglon again at the summer palace and declared he had a secret message for the king. Eglon, intrigued, dismissed his attendants and ordered them to leave him alone with Ehud.
It was at this private moment that Ehud struck. The details are graphic and directly reference Eglon's size:
"Ehud came to him, while he was sitting alone in his upper room. Ehud said, 'I have a message for you from God.' And the king rose from his seat. Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. The hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, so that he could not draw the sword out of his belly; and the dung came out."
Why Was Eglon's Weight Mentioned?
The specific mention of Eglon being "very fat" and the detail of the "fat closing over the blade" are not gratuitous. They serve a significant narrative purpose:
- Credibility of the Escape: Eglon's size made it difficult for Ehud to withdraw the sword. This detail adds a layer of realism to the escape and emphasizes the severity of the assassination. It also explains why Ehud had to make a hasty exit without retrieving his weapon.
- Symbolic Significance: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, opulence and excess, often associated with a large physique, could be seen as a sign of prosperity but also of decadence and spiritual impurity. Eglon's obesity might have subtly underscored his oppressive and self-indulgent rule over the Israelites.
- Dramatic Impact: The vivid description of the sword being swallowed by the king's flesh creates a powerful and memorable image, highlighting the shocking and decisive nature of Ehud's act of liberation.
Conclusion
While the Bible doesn't focus on the weight of most of its kings, King Eglon of Moab is the biblical monarch most famously described as "very fat." This detail, far from being a mere physical descriptor, is integral to the dramatic narrative of his assassination by Ehud, serving to underscore the effectiveness of the deliverance and perhaps hinting at the corrupt nature of his oppressive reign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How did Ehud kill King Eglon?
Ehud, a left-handed Israelite judge, pretended to have a secret message from God for King Eglon. When Eglon dismissed his servants and stood up from his throne in his private upper room, Ehud drew a hidden double-edged sword from his right thigh and thrust it deep into Eglon's belly. The sword was so deeply embedded that the king's own fat closed over the blade, preventing Ehud from withdrawing it.
Why is Eglon's weight emphasized in the Bible?
The emphasis on Eglon's weight served multiple narrative purposes. It explained why Ehud could not retrieve his sword, making his escape more plausible. It also added to the graphic and impactful nature of the assassination, creating a memorable and shocking image. Some scholars also suggest it could be symbolic of Eglon's decadence and corrupt leadership.
Was Eglon the only biblical king described as fat?
While other biblical figures might have been described as having large appetites or being prosperous, King Eglon is the only monarch in the Bible explicitly and prominently described as "very fat" in the context of a significant event. The Bible generally focuses on the spiritual and leadership qualities of its kings rather than their physical attributes.
What was the result of Eglon's death?
Eglon's death led to the immediate liberation of the Israelites from Moabite oppression. After Ehud escaped and blew a trumpet to rally the Israelites, they descended from the hills and defeated the Moabites. The land then enjoyed eighty years of peace under Ehud's leadership as judge.
