2. The Midianites overwhelmed Israel. Because of Midian the Israelites made shelters for themselves in the hills, as well as caves and strongholds.
3. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east would attack them.
4. They invaded the land and devoured its crops all the way to Gaza. They left nothing for the Israelites to eat, and they took away the sheep, oxen, and donkeys.
5. When they invaded with their cattle and tents, they were as thick as locusts. Neither they nor their camels could be counted. They came to devour the land.
6. Israel was so severely weakened by Midian that the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.
7. When the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help because of Midian,
8. he sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said to them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and took you out of that place of slavery.
9. I rescued you from Egypt’s power and from the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave their land to you.