So Israel hid men in ambush outside Gibeah.

They stood in order all around the camp. The whole army ran away; they shouted as they scrambled away.

When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, you also blow your trumpets all around the camp. Then say, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”

The Israelites did not remain true to the Lord their God, who had delivered them from all the enemies who lived around them.

They abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods – the gods of the nations who lived around them. They worshiped them and made the Lord angry.

The Lord was furious with Israel and handed them over to robbers who plundered them. He turned them over to their enemies who lived around them. They could not withstand their enemies’ attacks.