The first cycle of oppression and deliverance in the book of Judges involves oppression by a man named Cushan-rishathaim, king of Aram-Naharaim (Judg 3:8-11). Who was this king, where did he come from, and why might he have oppressed Israel? The judge who delivered Israel from the hand of Cushan-rishathaim was Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Judg 3:9). Othniel is also mentioned in the book of Joshua as the man who conquered the city of Debir (Josh 15:17), making it certain that this is at the beginning of the......