7 The Israelites sinned against the Lord by forgetting him and worshipping idols of Baal and Astarte.
8 This made the Lord angry, so he let Israel be defeated by King Cushan Rishathaim of northern Syria, who ruled Israel eight years and made everyone pay taxes.
9 The Israelites begged the Lord for help, and he chose Othniel to rescue them. Othniel was the son of Caleb's younger brother Kenaz.
10 The Spirit of the Lord took control of Othniel, and he led Israel in a war against Cushan Rishathaim. The Lord gave Othniel victory,
11 and Israel was at peace until Othniel died about forty years later.
12 Once more the Israelites started disobeying the Lord. So he let them be defeated by King Eglon of Moab,
13 who had joined forces with the Ammonites and the Amalekites to attack Israel. Eglon and his army captured Jericho.