1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.
2 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
9 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure.
12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
14 And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.
15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
16 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
17 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
19 And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
20 And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.
22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks.
27 And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
28 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
29 And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
30 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.
31 And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.
32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.
34 And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:
35 Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel.
The book of Judges is the seventh book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is a historical book that tells the story of the Israelites after the death of Joshua, their leader. The book of Judges is named after the twelve leaders or judges who ruled over the Israelites during this time. Chapter 8 of the book of Judges continues the narrative of the judgeship of Gideon, one of the most well-known judges in the Bible. This chapter is significant as it not only shows the victory of the Israelites over their enemies but also reveals the flaws and struggles of Gideon as a leader. Through this chapter, we can see the themes of faith, leadership, and the consequences of disobedience to God's will. Ultimately, this chapter teaches us the importance of relying on God and following His guidance in our lives.
The chapter begins with Gideon and his army pursuing the Midianites after their victory over the Amalekites in the previous chapter. The Israelites were able to defeat the Midianites, who were their oppressors for seven years, with the help of God. However, the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, managed to escape. Gideon and his men continued to pursue them and eventually caught up with them at the Jordan River. The two kings were captured, and Gideon returned to the Israelites with his spoils of war.
This part of the chapter shows the fulfillment of God's promise to Gideon that he would deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. It also highlights the faith and determination of Gideon and his army to follow God's instructions and trust in His power. This victory was a significant turning point for the Israelites, as it marked the end of their seven years of suffering and the beginning of a new era.
After returning from battle, Gideon and his army were met by the Ephraimites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Ephraimites were upset that Gideon did not invite them to join the battle against the Midianites. They even accused Gideon of not trusting them and claimed that their tribe was more significant than the tribe of Manasseh, to which Gideon belonged.
Gideon's response to the Ephraimites was one of humility and wisdom. He acknowledged that the Ephraimites had played a significant role in defeating the Midianites and praised their bravery. He also reminded them that it was God who gave them the victory and not their own strength. Gideon's response shows his leadership skills and his ability to diffuse tension and conflict among the tribes of Israel.
However, despite Gideon's humble response, the Ephraimites were still displeased and threatened to burn down Gideon's house. Gideon wisely chose not to engage in a conflict with them and instead focused on his mission to capture the two Midianite kings. He then requested for the people of Succoth and Penuel to provide his army with food and support as they continued their pursuit of the Midianite kings.
This part of the chapter reveals the challenges and struggles that Gideon faced as a leader. He not only had to deal with external enemies but also internal conflicts among the tribes of Israel. However, Gideon's response shows his humility, wisdom, and determination to fulfill his role as a judge and deliverer of the Israelites.
Gideon's request for support from the people of Succoth and Penuel was rejected, and he continued his pursuit of the Midianite kings with only his three hundred men. When they reached the city of Succoth, Gideon captured a young man who told him about the dream of Zebah and Zalmunna. In the dream, a loaf of barley bread rolled into the camp of the Midianites and struck a tent, causing it to fall. The young man interpreted the dream as a sign that Gideon would defeat the Midianites.
Encouraged by this dream, Gideon and his men continued their pursuit and eventually caught up with Zebah and Zalmunna. Gideon's men were able to capture the two kings and bring them to Gideon. Gideon then executed them and took revenge for the death of his brothers at the hands of the Midianites.
This part of the chapter shows the fulfillment of God's promise to Gideon that he would defeat the Midianites. It also emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience to God's instructions. Gideon's victory was not due to his own strength or strategy but because he trusted in God and followed His guidance.
After their victory, the Israelites were ready to make Gideon their king. However, Gideon refused and reminded them that God was their true king. He also warned them not to turn away from God and worship false gods. Gideon then asked for the gold earrings that he had taken from the Midianites as spoils of war and used them to make an ephod, which was a garment worn by priests during ceremonies.
This act of Gideon's may seem harmless, but it was a form of disobedience to God's commandments. God had strictly forbidden the Israelites from making any graven images or idols for worship. The ephod that Gideon made became a snare for him and his family. The Israelites began to worship it, and it became a source of contention and division among the tribes of Israel.
Gideon's disobedience had serious consequences not only for himself but also for the entire nation of Israel. It shows the danger of compromising and disobeying God's commands, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. This part of the chapter serves as a warning to the readers about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of staying faithful to God's will.
The chapter ends with the death of Gideon. After his victory over the Midianites, Gideon lived for forty years as a judge over Israel. However, towards the end of his life, he fell into idolatry and worshiped the ephod that he had made. As a result, the Israelites turned away from God and followed other gods. Gideon's death marked the end of an era of peace and prosperity for the Israelites, as they once again fell into the cycle of sin and oppression.
The death of Gideon serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of staying faithful to God. It also shows the imperfections and flaws of even the most prominent leaders in the Bible. Gideon may have been a great judge and deliverer, but he was also a human who made mistakes and struggled with his faith. This part of the chapter teaches us that no one is perfect, and even the most faithful can stumble and fall if they are not careful.
Chapter 8 of the book of Judges is a significant chapter in the Bible that teaches us valuable lessons about faith, leadership, and the consequences of disobedience. It shows the fulfillment of God's promises to His people and the victory of the Israelites over their enemies. However, it also reveals the struggles and flaws of Gideon as a leader and the consequences of his disobedience. This chapter serves as a reminder to us to always trust in God, follow His guidance, and stay faithful to His commandments. It also shows us that even the most prominent leaders in the Bible were not perfect and had their own struggles and weaknesses. Overall, chapter 8 of the book of Judges brings meaning to the narrative of Gideon's judgeship and teaches us valuable lessons that are still relevant in our lives today.
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