It describes an ongoing cycle – as the Israelites disobeyed God by serving the Canaanite Idols, God no longer came to their aid in battle and they suffered serious opposition and oppression by one or other of the surrounding nations. In their distress the Israelities cried out to God, and He rescued them by raising up a judge and deliverer (a leader filled with the Spirit rather than a leagal judge) from one of the Israelite tribes. The judge is used by God to defeat the enemies, deliver the people, and give leadership during the years of his life. However, once he dies, the Israelites go back to their idolatry and disobedience, and the cycle starts all over again.