he will conquer and rule them. Then my people will know what it's like to serve a foreign king instead of serving me.
Now we are slaves in this fruitful land you gave to our ancestors.
They were ill-treated and abused by their enemies,
Others have ruled over us besides you, our LORD God, but we obey only you.
Correct me, as I deserve, but not in your anger, or I will be dead.
You can bargain with nations, but I'll catch you anyway. Soon you will suffer abuse by kings and rulers.
And the LORD had another reason for letting these enemies stay. The Israelites needed to learn how to fight in war, just as their ancestors had done. Each new generation would have to learn by fighting