1. Again the people of Israel did what the Lord said was wrong. So for seven years the Lord let the people of Midian rule Israel.
2. The Midianites were very powerful and were cruel to the Israelites. So the Israelites made hiding places in the mountains. They also hid in caves and safe places.
3. Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other peoples from the east would come and attack them.