Judges 10

The cycle of judges continues quietly with Tola of Issachar, who judges Israel for twenty-three years, and Jair of Gilead, who judges for twenty-two years. After these two judges die, the Israelites return to full-blown idolatry, worshipping the gods of various surrounding nations (Baal, Ashtoreth, etc.). In response, God allows the Ammonites and Philistines to oppress Israel severely for eighteen years. When the Israelites cry out for help, God initially refuses, challenging them to call on the false gods they chose to serve.