_A.M. 2755. B.C. 1249._ Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites, Judges 8:1. Pursues the Midianites, Judges 8:4. Chastises the men of Succoth and Penuel, Judges 8:13. Slays the two kings of Midian, Judges 8:18. Declines the government of Israel, Judges 8:22; Judges 8:23. Makes an ephod, Judges 8:24. Keeps... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why hast thou served us thus_, &c. Why hast thou neglected and despised us in not calling us in to thy help? This they considered as very contemptuous treatment, since Gideon had sent to other tribes, that were meaner, and not so able to assist him as themselves. These were a proud people, puffed u... [ Continue Reading ]
_What have I done now?_ &c. What I have done in cutting off some of the common soldiers is not to be compared with your destroying their princes. I began the war, but you have finished it. Gideon here shows a noble temper of mind, which deserves admiration and imitation. Though in the midst of a mos... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then their anger was abated_ According to that fine maxim of Solomon, “A soft answer turneth away wrath.”... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gideon came to Jordan and passed over_ Or rather, had passed over, for he went over Jordan before Oreb and Zeeb were taken; but this is not mentioned till now, that what concerned the Ephraimites might be related all together, without interruption. _And the three hundred men with him_ Who here show... [ Continue Reading ]
_Are the hands of Zeba and Zalmunna now in thy hand?_ Art thou so foolish as to think with thy three hundred faint and weary soldiers to conquer and destroy fifteen thousand men? Thus they make light of the advantage he had gained, and tauntingly tell him, that he had not yet got these kings into hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Judges 8:7 ; JUDGES 8:9. _With the thorns of the wilderness_ The city was near a wilderness that abounded with thorns and briers. _Penuel_ Another city beyond Jordan; both were in the tribe of Gad. _I will break down this tower _ Some strong fort in which they greatly confided, and their confidence... [ Continue Reading ]
_There fell a hundred and twenty thousand men_ Such a terrible execution did they make among themselves, and so easy a prey were they to Israel. _That drew_ the _sword_ That is, persons expert and exercised in war, besides the retainers to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_By the way of them that dwelt in tents_ That is, the Arabians, termed _Scenitæ_, from their dwelling in tents. He fetched a compass by their country, and so poured in upon the rear of Zebah and Zalmunna, where they suspected no danger. _He smote the host; for the host was secure_ Being now got safe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gideon returned before the sun was up_ By which it may be gathered, that he came upon them in the night, which was most convenient for him who had so small a number with him, and most likely to terrify them by the remembrance of the last night's sad work. It must be acknowledged, however, that diff... [ Continue Reading ]
_He described unto him_, &c. Hebrews יכתב, _jichtob_, he wrote down, probably the names and dwellings, and perhaps also the qualities of the great men of the city, and of the judges, who were the persons that derided Gideon, and whom alone he intended to punish, and not all the people who were not g... [ Continue Reading ]
_With them he taught the men of Succoth_ He tore their flesh with these thorns, (as he had threatened, Judges 8:7.) It is not said that he tormented them till they expired, and therefore he perhaps only put them to torture for some time; but if he put them to death, then the expression, _with them h... [ Continue Reading ]
_What manner of men were they_, &c. In outward shape and quality. _Whom ye slew at Tabor?_ Whither he understood his brethren had fled for shelter upon the approach of the Midianites, and where he learned that some Israelites had been slain, whom he suspected to be them. We have no mention of this s... [ Continue Reading ]
_If ye had saved them alive_, &c. For, as they were not Canaanites, he was not obliged by any command of God to put them to death: but as they had killed his brethren, and that, it seems, in cold blood, he was, by God's law, the avenger of their death, being their near kinsman.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said unto Jether, Up, and slay them_ Some think he said this to animate his son to the use of arms for his God and country, and that he might have a share in the honour of the victory. It must be observed, that it was not unusual or disgraceful for great persons to do execution upon offenders in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rise thou, and fall upon us_ They thought it better to die by the hand of Gideon, who was as eminent for his strength as his dignity, and would despatch them with more speed than a stripling could.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rule thou over us_ Not as a judge, for as such he already ruled over them, but as a king; _both thou and thy son_, &c. Let the kingdom be hereditary to thee and to thy family. _For thou hast delivered us_ This miraculous and extraordinary deliverance by thy hands deserves no less from us.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will not rule over you_ As a king. He rejected their offer, because he looked upon God as their king, who appointed what deputy he pleased to govern them; and because he considered this proposal as an effort, or at least as tending to alter that form of government which God had instituted and had... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because they were Ishmaelites_ A mixture of people all called by one general name, Ishmaelites or Arabians, who used to wear ear-rings; but the greatest and the ruling part of them were Midianites.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gideon made an ephod thereof_ Not of all of it; for then it would have been too heavy for use; but of part of it, the rest being probably employed about other things appertaining to it; which elsewhere are comprehended under the name of the ephod, as Judges 17:5. _Put it in his city_ Not as a monum... [ Continue Reading ]
_They lifted up their heads no more_ That is, they recovered not their former strength or courage, so as to conquer or oppress others. _The country was in quietness forty years_ To the fortieth year from the beginning of the Midianitish oppression; in _the days of Gideon_ As long as Gideon lived.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dwelt in his own house_ Not in his father's house, as he did before; nor yet in a court like a king, as the people desired; but in a middle state, as a judge, for the preservation and maintenance of their religion and liberties.... [ Continue Reading ]
_His concubine that was in Shechem_ She dwelt there, and he often went thither, either to execute judgment, or upon other occasions. _Abimelech_ That is, _my father the king;_ so he called him, probably to gratify his concubine, who desired it either out of pride, or design. _Gideon died in a good o... [ Continue Reading ]
_As soon as_, &c. Whereby we see the temper of this people, who did no longer cleave to God, than they were in a manner constrained to it, by the presence and authority of the judges. _Baalim_ This was the general name including all their idols, one of which here follows: _Baal- berith_ That is, _th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither showed they kindness to the house of Gideon_ No wonder they were so ungrateful to the family of this illustrious man, when they were so forgetful of the God of all their mercies; _according to the goodness he had showed unto Israel_ In hazarding his life for their service, and accomplishing... [ Continue Reading ]