KJV ORIGINAL
They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
They chose to worship new gods; then war came right to their city gates. Could you find even one shield or spear among forty thousand people in Israel?
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is explaining that when Israel turned away from God to worship other gods, they became defenseless and vulnerable to their enemies.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Deborah's victory song after defeating the Canaanites. It describes the spiritual and military condition of Israel before God raised up Deborah as judge. When the Israelites abandoned God for foreign deities, they lost both divine protection and military strength, leaving them essentially defenseless against their oppressors.
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