1. The Israelites did evil in the lord’s sight. So the lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years.
2. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.
3. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel,
4. camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys.