שופטים, פרק ג׳, פסוק כ״ד

The success of a daring escape often relies on precise timing and the predictable assumptions of others. Immediately after Ehud slips out of the corridor, the servants of Eglon, King of Moab, enter the hallway [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Finding the doors to the upper chamber firmly locked, the attendants do not suspect that any harm has befallen their master. Instead, they naturally assume that the king has secured the room himself for a routine, private matter [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The servants conclude that the king is simply relieving himself inside the chamber [רש״י]. They express this assumption using a polite euphemism about covering his feet. The commentators agree that this phrase is a respectful way to describe a private bodily function. It refers to the modest posture of a person sitting down to relieve themselves, as their garments would naturally drape down to shield and cover their lower body [מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. This modest phrasing was a recognized and dignified expression for such private moments [מלבי״ם].