The Amalekites on the south of Canaan, as well as the Midianites on its eastern border, and in the deserts beyond, were still the unrelenting enemies of Israel. The latter nation had been nearly destroyed by the Israelites in the days of Moses, but 546 they had since increased greatly, and had become numerous and powerful. They had thirsted for revenge; and now that the protecting hand of God was withdrawn from Israel, the opportunity had come. Not alone the tribes east of Jordan, but the whole land suffered from their ravages. The wild, fierce inhabitants of the desert, "as locusts for multitude" (Judges 6:5, R.V.), came swarming into the land, with their flocks and herds. Like a devouring plague they spread over the country, from the river Jordan to the Philistine plain. They came as soon as the harvests began to ripen, and remained until the last fruits of the earth had been gathered. They stripped the fields of their increase and robbed and maltreated the inhabitants and then returned to the deserts. Thus the Israelites dwelling in the open country were forced to abandon their homes, and to congregate in walled towns, to seek refuge in fortresses, or even to find shelter in caves and rocky fastnesses among the mountains. For seven years this oppression continued, and then, as the people in their distress gave heed to the Lord's reproof, and confessed their sins, God again raised up a helper for them.

Amalekitterne syd for Kanaan og midjanitterne ved landets østgrænse og i ørkenerne længere borte var stadig Israels uforsonlige fjender. Midjanitterne var næsten blevet udryddet af israelitterne på Moses tid, men senere blev de både meget talrige og meget stærke. De tørstede efter hævn, og da Gud tog sin beskyttende hånd bort fra Israel, fik de deres anledning. Det var ikke blot stammerne øst for Jordan, der var udsat for deres plyndringstogter, men hele landet. De vilde barbariske ørkenstammer drog op med deres hjorde og telte og kom "talrige som græshopper" og trængte ind i landet. Dom. 6, 5. De kastede sig over det som en altfortærende græshoppesværm, lige fra Jordanfloden til filisternes slette. De kom, så snart afgrøderne begyndte at modnes, og blev i landet, til de sidste frugter var høstet. De stjal alt, hvad der var på markerne, udplyndrede og mishandlede landets indbyggere og drog derpå tilbage til ørkenerne. De israelitter, der boede på landet, blev tvunget til at forlade deres hjem og søge ind til de byer, som var omgivet af mure. De søgte også tilflugt i fæstninger, ja, selv i huler og klippeborge i bjergene. Folket blev undertrykt på denne måde i syv år. Da gav de i deres nød agt på Herrens irettesættelse og bekendte deres synder, og Gud lod atter en befrier fremstå.