1After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo became judge and began to deliver Israel. He was from Issachar and lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.

2Tola judged Israel twenty-three years and when he died, was buried in Shamir.

6Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.10:6 Jdg 3:12; 4:1 They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines.10:6 1Kg 11:33 They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him.10:6 Ex 20:5; 23:24; Dt 5:9; Jos 23:7; 2Kg 17:35; Neh 9:35; Is 60:12; Mal 3:18

7So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them to the Philistines and the Ammonites.10:7 Jdg 2:14; 3:8

8They shattered and crushed the Israelites that year, and for eighteen years they did the same to all the Israelites who were on the other side of the Jordan10:8 Gn 50:10–11; Dt 1:1,5; 3:8,20,25; Jos 12:17; Jdg 5:17 in the land of the Amorites10:8 Nm 21:31; Jos 24:8; Jdg 11:21; Am 2:10 in Gilead.

9The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim. Israel was greatly oppressed,

10so they cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you.10:10 Neh 1:6; Jr 14:20; Dn 9:8 We have abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals.”