The book of Judges recounts many of Israel’s early challenges following the death of Joshua and the inability of Israel to have successfully driven out all of the Canaanite peoples from their land. The conflicts that Israel faces follow a cyclical pattern: Israel sins and is oppressed by their enemies, Israel repents, and the Lord raises a judge (often military leaders) to deliver Israel from their enemies. Other internal struggles are faced by Israel, most notably the challenges faced by aspirants to kingship (Judges 9) and the lack of order brought from no central kingship (Judges 17–21). These internal struggles ultimately end in civil war between the Israelites.