The people of Israel sinned against the LORD again. Because of this the LORD made King Eglon of Moab stronger than Israel.

Eglon joined the Ammonites and the Amalekites; they defeated Israel and captured Jericho, the city of palm trees.

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,

An Ethiopian named Zerah invaded Judah with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots and advanced as far as Mareshah.

Some time later the armies of Moab and Ammon, together with their allies, the Meunites, invaded Judah.

Some messengers came and announced to King Jehoshaphat: "A large army from Edom has come from the other side of the Dead Sea to attack you. They have already captured Hazazon Tamar." (This is another name for Engedi.)

You will find no peace anywhere, no place to call your own; the LORD will overwhelm you with anxiety, hopelessness, and despair.

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me? Why did you make me come back?" Saul answered, "I am in great trouble! The Philistines are at war with me, and God has abandoned me. He doesn't answer me any more, either by prophets or by dreams. And so I have called you, for you to tell me what I must do."

In those days no one could come and go in safety, because there was trouble and disorder in every land.