נחמיה, פרק ט׳, פסוק כ״ח

The history of the Israelites is defined by a continuous cycle of peace, sin, punishment, repentance, and divine salvation. This historical pattern was especially clear during the era of the Judges [רלב״ג]. The primary approach among commentators is that whenever the people enjoyed a break from their troubles and rested from foreign oppression, this very state of comfort led them back to sin [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

As a consequence of their actions during times of ease, God left the Israelites to their enemies, who then ruled over them with a heavy hand [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It was only from the depth of this suffering that the people returned to the right path. In their distress, they cried out to God, urgently calling Him to their aid [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In His mercy, God heard their prayers from heaven and saved them. However, this sequence of sin, subjugation, and rescue was never a one-time event; rather, it was a tragic cycle that repeated itself many times over [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].