'Defended' in the Bible

And Samson judged Israel in the days of [occupation by] the Philistines for twenty years.

Then his brothers and his father’s entire [tribal] household came down, took him, and brought him up; and they buried him in the tomb of Manoah his father, [which was] between Zorah and Eshtaol. So Samson had judged Israel for twenty years.

But he took his stand in the center of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines; and the Lord brought about a great victory.

But they took their stand in the midst of that plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the Lord rescued them by a great victory.

“He defended the cause of the afflicted and needy;Then all was well.Is that not what it means to know Me?”Says the Lord.