And so the LORD became furious with Israel and let raiders attack and rob them. He let the enemies all around overpower them, and the Israelites could no longer protect themselves.

Then the LORD gave the Israelites leaders who saved them from the raiders.

Whenever the LORD gave Israel a leader, the LORD would help that leader and would save the people from their enemies as long as that leader lived. The LORD would have mercy on them because they groaned under their suffering and oppression.

So the LORD became angry with Israel and let King Cushan Rishathaim of Mesopotamia conquer them. They were subject to him for eight years.

Jabin had nine hundred iron chariots, and he ruled the people of Israel with cruelty and violence for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help.

Whenever the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites would come with the Amalekites and the desert tribes and attack them.

They would come with their livestock and tents, as thick as locusts. They and their camels were too many to count. They came and devastated the land,

The Philistines assembled to fight the Israelites; they had thirty thousand war chariots, six thousand cavalry troops, and as many soldiers as there are grains of sand on the seashore. They went to Michmash, east of Bethaven, and camped there.

Then they launched a strong attack against the Israelites, putting them in a desperate situation. Some of the Israelites hid in caves and holes or among the rocks or in pits and wells;

There were no blacksmiths in Israel because the Philistines were determined to keep the Hebrews from making swords and spears.

(The Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their plows, hoes, axes, and sickles sharpened;

You make my enemies run from me; I destroy those who hate me.

I crush them, so that they become like dust which the wind blows away. I trample on them like mud in the streets.

Foreigners bow before me; when they hear me, they obey.

The LORD lives! Praise my defender! Proclaim the greatness of the God who saves me.

and saves me from my foes. O LORD, you give me victory over my enemies and protect me from violent people.

God gives great victories to his king; he shows constant love to the one he has chosen, to David and his descendants forever.

The king will capture all his enemies; he will capture everyone who hates him.

He will destroy them like a blazing fire when he appears. The LORD will devour them in his anger, and fire will consume them.

I will crush his foes and kill everyone who hates him.

The LORD said to my lord, "Sit here at my right side until I put your enemies under your feet."

For Christ must rule until God defeats all enemies and puts them under his feet.

(SEE 1:20)

(SEE 7:10)

If the LORD does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the LORD does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.