The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, saying, We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the Baals.
The writer introduced the battle in which God provided deliverance for His people in Judges 10:17-18. The Ammonites advanced into Gilead from the east, and the Israelites in that area congregated not far from them anticipating conflict. Even though the Israelites had confessed their sin and repented genuinely, they approached this battle carnally. Rather than inquiring of God for strategy, the Israelites looked among themselves for a human leader whom they could persuade to lead them, by promising him kingship as a reward (cf. Judges 1:1). They were rejecting Yahweh’s authority over them by doing this (cf. 1 Samuel 8:7). They soon learned that the man they chose had some glaring weaknesses (cf. King Saul).