For the first and only time in the book, a confession of sin is heard from Israel: We have sinned against you, because we have both forsaken our God and served the Baals.
This cry contrasts with Judges 2:4, where Israel weeps in response to the angel’s announcement of the withdrawal of the Lord’s support, and Judges 6:10 where any cry from Israel in response to God’s scolding is absent.1
10 And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.”