Judges 10:9-18

9 Ammon also crossed the Jordan River to fight the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. So Israel suffered a great deal.

10 Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help. They said, "We have sinned against you. We have abandoned our God and served other gods--the Baals."

11 The LORD said to the people of Israel, "When the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines,

12 the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites oppressed you, you cried out to me for help. Didn't I rescue you from them?

13 But you still abandoned me and served other gods. That's why I won't rescue you again.

14 Cry out for help to the gods you chose. Let them rescue you when you're in trouble."

15 The people of Israel said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do to us whatever you think is right. But please rescue us today!"

16 Then they got rid of the foreign gods they had and served the LORD. So the LORD could not bear to have Israel suffer any longer.

17 The troops of Ammon were summoned to fight, and they camped at Gilead. The people of Israel also gathered together and camped at Mizpah.

18 The leaders of the people of Gilead said to each other, "Whoever starts the fight against Ammon will rule everyone who lives in Gilead."

Judges 10:9-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 10

This chapter gives an account of two judges of Israel, in whose days they enjoyed peace, Jud 10:1-5, after which they sinning against God, came into trouble, and were oppressed by their enemies eighteen years, and were also invaded by an army of the Ammonites, Jud 10:6-9, when they cried unto the Lord for deliverance, confessing their sin; but he had first refused to grant them any, though upon their importunity and reformation he had compassion on them, Jud 10:10-16 and the chapter is concluded with the preparation made by both armies for a battle, Jud 10:17,18.