On that day the LORD saved the people of Israel from the Egyptians, and the Israelites saw them lying dead on the seashore.

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.

But it was not the LORD's purpose to destroy Israel completely and forever, so he rescued them through King Jeroboam II.

I do not trust in my bow or in my sword to save me;

We will always praise you and give thanks to you forever.

But to the people of Judah I will show love. I, the LORD their God, will save them, but I will not do it by war---with swords or bows and arrows or with horses and horsemen."

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.