Chapter 3

The people left in Canaan to test Israel are listed specifically.  And it says they intermarried with them in both directions.

Israel begins worshiping other gods, and God "sold them into the hand" of the king of Mesopotamia, Cushan-rishathaim, for 8 years.  Israel has to serve this King. 

2024 - As of today, there are no known extra-biblical references to this king.  He is mentioned only in the Bible. 

The people cry out, and God raises up Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, to help them.  So this is within a generation of Joshua, almost immediately after they have taken Canaan, and they are already in captivity due to their sin.  Othniel defeats Mesopotamia, and the land has peace for 40 years, until Othniel dies.

After Othniel dies, Israel again turns to other gods.  Eglon, King of Moab, gathers some allies and defeats Israel, and they are in his service 18 years.  Israel cries out and God raises up Ehud, a left handed guy, to help them.  Ehud takes the tribute to Eglon, who is a tremendously fat king.  Ehud contrives to get Eglon alone, as Eglon is moving his bowels, and Ehud stabs him with a secreted double-edged sword, a cubit long.  The whole sword goes into Eglon, and the fat closes around it.  Ehud leaves the sword in him, closes the potty room doors for privacy, and then makes his escape.  Ehud gathers some men, and they attack Moab, killing 10,000 strong men.  Israel is at peace then for 80 years.

Shamgar was next, the third judge of Israel, who personally killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.  We aren't told any more about Shamgar at this time.  So Othniel, Ehud, and then Shamgar, all in this first chapter.