A new king took the throne in Egypt and looked upon the people of Israel with contempt. They had lived under the Egyptians in peace for generations, but things dramatically changed with the new Pharaoh. They were turned into slaves, oppressed and treated ruthlessly for decades. At one point Pharaoh ordered all sons born to Israelite women to be thrown into the river to die. Day after day the cries of the people of Israel ascended before God, praying against the wicked acts of Pharaoh and for their deliverance.The story of the Israelites is the story of many nations today.