The Defeat at Hormah

(Numbers 14:40–45)

“ We have sinned against the LORD,” you replied“ We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God has commanded us.” Then each of you put on his weapons of war, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country.

42 

But the LORD said to me,“ Tell them not to go up and fight, for I [am] not with you to keep you from defeat by your enemies.”

43 

So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country.

44 

Then the Amorites who lived in the hills came out against you and chased you like a swarm of bees. They routed you from Seir all the way to Hormah. 45 And you returned and wept before the LORD, but [He] would not listen to your voice [or] give ear to you.

46 

For this reason you stayed in Kadesh vvv for a long time — a very long time 2