5
So the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
6
But the Israelites intermarried with them and served their gods.
Othniel, the model judge
7 The Israelites did things that the LORD saw as evil, and they forgot the LORD their God. They served the Baals and the Asherahs.
8
The LORD became angry with Israel and gave them over to King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim. The Israelites served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.
9
But then they cried out to the LORD. So the LORD raised up a deliverer for the Israelites, Othniel, Kenaz's son, Caleb's younger brother, who rescued them.
10
The LORD's spirit was in Othniel, and he led Israel. When he marched out for war, the LORD handed over Aram's King Cushan-rishathaim. Othniel overpowered Cushan-rishathaim,
11
and the land was peaceful for forty years, until Othniel, Kenaz's son, died.
Ehud
12 The Israelites again did things that the LORD saw as evil, and the LORD put Moab's King Eglon in power over them, because they did these things that the LORD saw as evil.
13
He convinced the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, defeated Israel, and took possession of Palm City.
14
So the Israelites served Moab's King Eglon eighteen years.
15
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD. So the LORD raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud, Gera's son, a Benjaminite, who was left-handed. The Israelites sent him to take their tribute payment to Moab's King Eglon.