1 And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the
son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in
mount Ephraim.
2 And
he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.
3 And
after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.
4 And
he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities,
which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in
the land of Gilead.
5 And
Jair died, and was buried in Camon.
6 And
the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served
Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the
gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the
Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.
7 And
the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands
of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.
8 And
that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all
the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land
of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
9 Moreover
the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and
against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore
distressed.
10 And
the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against
thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.
11 And
the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the
Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?
12 The
Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye
cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.
13 Yet
ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no
more.
14 Go
and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of
your tribulation.
15 And
the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us
whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.
16 And
they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his
soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
17 Then
the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the
children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.
18 And
the people and princes
of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the
children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
