7 So the Israelis did things considered evil by Yahweh and they forgot about their god Yahweh, instead serving the Baal and Asherot idols. 8 Because of that, Yahweh was very angry with Israel, so he handed them over to King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram-Naharaim (Mesopotamia). The Israelis served him for eight years 9 but when they cried out to Yahweh, he sent them a leader to rescue them: Otniel, son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz. 10 Yahweh’s spirit empowered him and he led Israel. He led them into battle against King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram, and Yahweh helped them defeat him. 11 So the region had peace for forty years, and then Otniel (Kenaz’s son) died.