“We have sinned against the LORD,” you replied. “We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God has commanded us.” Then each of you put on his weapons of war, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country.
The people say they have sinned against the LORD and prepare to go up and fight, thinking it easy to enter the hill country.
This verse presents their attempt to reverse the sentence on their own terms.
41“We have sinned against the LORD,” you replied. “We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God has commanded us.” Then each of you put on his weapons of war, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country. 42But the LORD said to me, “Tell them not to go up and fight, for I am not with you to keep you from defeat by your enemies.” 43So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country. 44Then the Amorites who lived in the hills came out against you and chased you like a swarm of bees. They routed you from Seir all the way to Hormah. 45And you returned and wept before the LORD, but He would not listen to your voice or give ear to you. 46For this reason you stayed in Kadesh for a long time — a very long time.