"Again the children of Israel did evil" (Judges 13:1)

This phrase begins the Samson cycle of the book of Judges. The phrase is so common in the book of Judges that it could be the title of the book. In particular, it is repeated at the beginning of every major section of the book of Judges and introduces a very standard four element cycle that we see throughout the book.

1. The people do evil in the sight of the Lord, primarily by serving pagan gods. 

2. The Lord delivers them into the hands of an oppressor. 

3. The people then cry out to God. 

4. God responds to their cries by raising up a judge to deliver them.