Judges 3:15

Ehud the son of Gera Both names occur in the Benjamite genealogies, Genesis 46:21 1 Chronicles 7:10; 1 Chronicles 8:3; 1Ch 8:5; 1 Chronicles 8:7; it has been suggested that both belonged to clans and not to individuals. Gera was certainly a clan, 2 Samuel 16:5 (-Shimei ben Gera"); but the Chronicler may have adopted (1 Chronicles 7:10) the name of Ehud merely from here, or the clan Ehud may have taken its name from the hero of this story. With the mention of Ehud the ancient narrative probably begins.

a man lefthanded lit. restricted as to his right hand, the word only again in Judges 20:16. This peculiarity has a bearing upon what follows: being left-handed he naturally fastened his sword on the right side instead of the left, and thus was able to conceal a weapon without rousing suspicion.

a present An euphemism for tribute(2Sa 8:2; 2 Samuel 8:6; 1 Kings 4:21 etc.), which was paid in kind, and therefore had to be -carried 1 [29]."

[29] The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser II (860 825 b.c.) in the Brit. Mus., Nimroud Central Saloon, No. 98, contains a sculptured relief of Israelites carrying tribute in the time of Jehu: an illustration of the obelisk is given in the Brit. Mus. Guide to Bab. and Assyr. Antiquities, Plate ii.