9. Then the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to go to war also against Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. Israel was in a bad way!
10. The People of Israel cried out to God for help: “We’ve sinned against you! We left our God and worshiped the Baal gods!”
11-14. God answered the People of Israel: “When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians—even Amalek and Midian!—oppressed you and you cried out to me for help, I saved you from them. And now you’ve gone off and betrayed me, worshiping other gods. I’m not saving you anymore. Go ahead! Cry out for help to the gods you’ve chosen—let them get you out of the mess you’re in!”
15. The People of Israel said to God: “We’ve sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!”
16. Then they cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshiped only God. And God took Israel’s troubles to heart.
17-18. The Ammonites prepared for war, setting camp in Gilead. The People of Israel set their rival camp in Mizpah. The leaders in Gilead said, “Who will stand up for us against the Ammonites? We’ll make him head over everyone in Gilead!”