6 And the sons of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD and served the Baalim and Ashtaroth and the gods of Syria and the gods of Zidon and the gods of Moab and the gods of the sons of Ammon and the gods of the Philistines and forsook the LORD and did not serve him. 7 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the sons of Ammon, 8 who dashed in pieces and crushed the sons of Israel for eighteen years, all the sons of Israel that were on the other side of the Jordan in the land of the Amorite, which is in Gilead. 9 Moreover the sons of Ammon passed over the Jordan to fight also against Judah and against Benjamin and against the house of Ephraim so that Israel was sore distressed.
10 And the sons of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee because we have forsaken our God and served the Baalim. 11 And the LORD replied unto the sons of Israel, Were you not oppressed by Egypt, by the Amorites, by the sons of Ammon, by the Philistines, 12 by those of Zidon, by Amalek, and by Maon, and ye cried to me and I delivered you out of their hands? 13 Yet ye have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore, I will deliver you no more. 14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your affliction. 15 And the sons of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned; do thou unto us whatever seems good unto thee; only deliver us now, we pray thee, this day. 16 And they put away the strange gods from among them and served the LORD; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
17 Then the sons of Ammon were gathered together and encamped in Gilead. And likewise the sons of Israel assembled themselves together and encamped in Mizpeh. 18 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, Who shall it be that will begin the battle against the sons of Ammon? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.