the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them - Adversities in close and rapid succession befell them. But all these calamities were designed only as chastisements - a course of correctional discipline by which God brought His people to see and repent of their errors; for as they returned to faith and allegiance, He “raised up judges” (Jdg 2:16).