After the king had finally let the people go, the LORD did not lead them through Philistine territory, though that was the shortest way. God had said, “If they are attacked, they may decide to return to Egypt.”
Even before the LORD said these harsh things, he had told Moses, “These people really are rebellious, and I would kill them at once, if I went with them. But tell them to take off their jewellery, then I'll decide what to do with them.” So the people started mourning,
Then at Kadesh-Barnea the LORD said, “I am giving you the land, so go ahead and take it!” But since you didn't trust the LORD, you rebelled and disobeyed his command.