² Because the power of Midian was so oppressive,^(A) the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves^(B) and strongholds.^{(C) 3} Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites^(D) and other eastern peoples^(E) invaded the country. ⁴ They camped on the land and ruined the crops^(F) all the way to Gaza^(G) and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys.