_A.M. 2755. B.C. 1249._
God's direction to Gideon for modelling his army, Judges 7:1. The
dream of the Midianites, Judges 7:9. His manner of attacking the camp
of Midian, Judges 7:16. Their total overthrow, Judges 7:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gideon rose up early_ As one whose heart was upon his business, and
who was afraid of losing time. Being now sure God was with him, he is
impatient of any delay. _And pitched by the well of Harod_ That his
army might not be distressed for want of water; and he gained the
higher ground, which possib... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people that are with thee are too many_ The army consisted of
thirty-two thousand men, a small army in comparison of what Israel
might have raised on so great an occasion, and a very small one in
comparison with that which the Midianites had now brought into the
field. Gideon, doubtless, was re... [ Continue Reading ]
_From mount Gilead_ Not that mount Gilead which was on the east side
of Jordan, for the camps, both of the Israelites and Midianites, were
on the west side of that river, in the land of Canaan; but another
mount Gilead in the tribe of Manasseh. _There returned of the people
twenty and two thousand_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord said, The people are yet too many_ For my purpose, which is
so to deliver Israel that it may appear to be by my own act; that so I
may have all the glory, and they may be more strongly obliged to serve
me. God foresaw that if the Israelites had fought against the
Midianites, even only with... [ Continue Reading ]
_That lapped_ Taking up a little water in the palm of their hands. It
is probable that Gideon, upon this occasion, commanded his whole army
to leave their baggage behind them, and among that the vessels and
cups they used to drink out of; and, when he had brought them to the
river-side, told them to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Every man unto his place_ That is, to his own home. “By this
further distinction,” says Henry, “it was proved that none should
be made use of, but, 1st, Men that were hardy, that could endure
fatigue, without complaining of thirst or weariness; 2d, Men that were
hasty, that thought it long till the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their trumpets_ That is, the trumpets belonging to the whole army,
which he retained for the use following. Gideon seems to have been now
inspired with the thought of the stratagem which he put in execution
afterward, otherwise he would not have ordered every one of the three
hundred to take a trum... [ Continue Reading ]
_The same night_ After he had dismissed all but the three hundred;
_the Lord said_ In a dream or vision of the night; _But if thou fear
to go down_ Namely, with thy three hundred men, to attack the
Midianites. _Afterward shall thy hand be strengthened_ Thou wilt be
encouraged to proceed, notwithstan... [ Continue Reading ]
_And lo, a cake tumbled into the host of Midian_ A weak and
contemptible thing, and in itself as unable to overthrow a tent as to
remove a mountain; but, being thrown by a divine hand, it bore down
all before it. _His fellow answered_, &c. As there are many examples
of significant dreams, given by G... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Gideon heard, he worshipped_ He praised God for this special
encouragement. _He divided the men into three companies_ To make a
show of a vast army. _Lamps within the pitchers_ The lights were put
into the pitchers, partly to preserve them from the wind and weather,
and partly that their appro... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said to them, Look on me_ For though two hundred of his men were
placed on other sides of the camp, yet they were so disposed, that
some persons, set as watchmen, might see what was done, and give
notice to the rest to follow the example. _The sword of the Lord, and
of Gideon_ He mentions his ow... [ Continue Reading ]
_Middle watch_ That is, of the second watch; for though afterward the
night was divided into four watches by the Romans, (Matthew 14:25,)
yet in more ancient times, and in the eastern parts, it was divided
into three: he chose the dark and dead of the night, to increase their
terror by the trumpets,... [ Continue Reading ]
_They stood_ As if they had been torch-bearers to the several
companies. _Every man's sword against his fellow_ They slew one
another, because they suspected treachery, and so fell upon those they
first met with; which they might more easily do, because they
consisted of several nations, because the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men of Israel gathered themselves together_ Upon advice of this
flight of the Midianites, by swift messengers sent on purpose, the
Israelites immediately poured down from all parts, to intercept them
in their flight. _Take before them the waters_ That is, the passes
over those waters to which t... [ Continue Reading ]
_To Gideon on the other side_ of _Jordan_ For Gideon, in the pursuit,
had passed over Jordan. Oreb and Zeeb had probably taken shelter, the
one in _a rock_, the other by _a wine-press._ But the places of their
shelter were made the places of their slaughter, and the memory of it
preserved in the nam... [ Continue Reading ]