Now it came to pass in the days. Occurs five times. Always denotes impending trouble, followed by happy deliverance. Compare Genesis 14:1.Esther 1:1.Isaiah 7:1.Jeremiah 1:3.
when the judges ruled. Doubtless, in the early days, before the sin of Judges 1 developed the later internal disorders, and outward oppressions.
a famine. See note on Genesis 12:10.
country. fields.