Judges 2:20

“And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, etc.] As at first, so whenever they fell into idolatry; (see <070214>Judges 2:14); and he said, because this people have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers; made at Sinai, in which they were enjoined to have no other gods before him: and have not hearkened to my voice; in his commands, and particularly what related to his worship and against idolatry.”

“This verse is connected with Judges 2:13. The intermediate verses refer to much later times; they have the appearance of being the reflections of the compiler interspersed with the original narrative. But Judges 2:20 catches up the thread only to let it fall immediately. All that follows, down to the end of Judges 3:7, seems to be another digression, closing with words like those of Judges 2:13. It does not appear how this message was given to Israel, whether by Angel, or prophet, or Urim, nor indeed is it certain whether any message was given. The words may be understood as merely explaining what passed through the divine mind, and expressing the thoughts which regulated the divine…”

“the anger: Jdg 2:14, Jdg 3:8, Jdg 10:7; Exo 32:10, Exo 32:11; Deu 32:22 transgressed: Exo 24:3-8; Deu 29:10-13; Jos 23:16, Jos 24:21-25; Jer 31:32; Eze 20:37 Judges 2:21”

“Chastisement of the Rebellious Nation. - Jdg 2:20, Jdg 2:21. On account of this idolatry, which was not only constantly repeated, but continued to grow worse and worse, the anger of the Lord burned so fiercely against Israel, that He determined to destroy no more of the nations which Joshua had left when he died, before the people that had broken His covenant. In order to set forth this divine purpose most distinctly, it is thrown into the form of a sentence uttered by God through the expression וגו ויּאמר. The Lord said, "Because this people has transgressed my covenant, ... I also will no longer keep my covenant promise ( Exo 23:23, Exo 23:27., Exo 34:10.), and will no more drive out any…”