They rebelled: many of their rebellions we read of in Exodus and Numbers in their travels. The Lord tells Moses that they had tempted him ten times, and therefore severely threatens them, Numbers 14:22,23. There were three principal times of their rebellion:
1. In the wilderness, where they murmured for want of bread and water.
2. In Canaan, in not destroying, but only making tributary, such nations as God commanded them to destroy.
3. Before the Babylonian captivity, when they set themselves against the prophets, which Stephen chargeth upon them, Acts 7:51,52. Among which also we may reckon all their behaviours under their judges and their kings. Or we may understand it of their not answering God's end and expectation. Vexed his holy Spirit; Spirit of his holiness; they vexed him by their obstinacy against his will and mind, and walking contrary unto him: not that there are such passions in God, but it is spoken after the manner of men, as they are vexed when their will is crossed. He was turned to be their enemy; overthrew them not only in the wilderness, Psalms 78:33,59,60, &c., sending among them fiery serpents, Numbers 21:6; but even in Canaan, stirring up against them adversaries sometimes the Philistines, and the Midianites, and then the Moabites, &c.