Ehud is identified as a Benjamite and the first outright assassin named in the Bible after Israel entered the Promised Land. He plotted against and assassinated the king of the Moabites, who though not an Israelite was exercising rule over the Israelites at the time. This account is introduced within a sequence of biblical examples that begins with Cain's murder of his brother and continues through later conspiracies such as Abimelech's elimination of Gideon's sons, Absalom's attempt to overthrow David, and Adonijah's bid for Solomon's throne. The reference to Ehud demonstrates that Israelites, despite their special relationship with God, have repeatedly resorted to assassination and conspiracy against those in authority when such acts appeared advantageous. These incidents are presented as consistent with the operation of the carnal mind under the influence of the spirit of this world, which originates with Satan and his demons and enables conspirators to regard murderous schemes as justified and even righteous.