9
The children of `Ammon passed over the Yarden to fight also against Yehudah, and against Binyamin, and against the house of Efrayim; so that Yisra'el was sore distressed.
10
The children of Yisra'el cried to the LORD, saying, We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the Ba`alim.
11
The LORD said to the children of Yisra'el, Didn't I save you from the Mitzrim, and from the Amori, from the children of `Ammon, and from the Pelishtim?
12
The Tzidonim also, and the `Amaleki, and the Ma`on, did oppress you; and you cried to me, and I saved you out of their hand.
13
Yet you have forsaken me, and served other gods: therefore I will save you no more.
14
Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.
15
The children of Yisra'el said to the LORD, We have sinned: do you to us whatever seems good to you; only deliver us, we pray you, this day.
16
They put away the foreign gods from among them, and served the LORD; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Yisra'el.
17
Then the children of `Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gil`ad. The children of Yisra'el assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mitzpah.
18
The people, the princes of Gil`ad, said one to another, What man is he who will begin to fight against the children of `Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gil`ad.