4 They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses.
4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
4 They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
4 They were there to test Israel and see whether they would obey God's commands that were given to their parents through Moses.
4 And they were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
4 These people were left to test the Israelites-to see whether they would obey the commands the Lord had given to their ancestors through Moses.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 3:4
Commentary on Judges 3:1-7
(Read Judges 3:1-7)
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Temptations and trials detect the wickedness of the hearts of sinners; and strengthen he graces of believers in their daily conflict with Satan, sin, and this evil world. They must live in this world, but they are not of it, and are forbidden to conform to it. This marks the difference between the followers of Christ and mere professors. The friendship of the world is more fatal than its enmity; the latter can only kill the body, but the former murders many precious souls.