The Lord’s Patience Runs Short

10:6 The Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight.7 They worshiped8 the Baals and the Ashtars,9 as well as the gods of Syria, Sidon,10 Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines.11 They abandoned the Lord and did not worship12 him. 10:7 The Lord was furious with Israel13 and turned them over to14 the Philistines and Ammonites. 10:8 They ruthlessly oppressed15 the Israelites that eighteenth year16—that is, all the Israelites living east of the Jordan in Amorite country in Gilead. 10:9 The Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight with Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim.17 Israel suffered greatly.18

10:10 The Israelites cried out for help to the Lord: “We have sinned against you. We abandoned our God and worshiped19 the Baals.” 10:11 The Lord said to the Israelites, “Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 10:12 the Sidonians, Amalek, and Midian20 when they oppressed you?21 You cried out for help to me, and I delivered you from their power.22 10:13 But since you abandoned me and worshiped23 other gods, I will not deliver you again. 10:14 Go and cry for help to the gods you have chosen! Let them deliver you from trouble!”24 10:15 But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. You do to us as you see fit,25 but deliver us today!”26 10:16 They threw away the foreign gods they owned27 and worshiped28 the Lord. Finally the Lord grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.29