The LORD kept on opposing them until he had destroyed them all.

Every time they would go into battle, the LORD was against them, just as he had said he would be. They were in great distress.

So again they sent for all the Philistine kings and said, "Send the Covenant Box of Israel back to its own place, so that it won't kill us and our families." There was panic throughout the city because God was punishing them so severely.

You are my friends! Take pity on me! The hand of God has struck me down.

Day and night you punished me, LORD; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat.

You have wounded me with your arrows; you have struck me down.

I will keep quiet, I will not say a word, for you are the one who made me suffer like this.

Don't punish me any more! I am about to die from your blows.