81 And the men of Ephraim say unto him, 'What 'is' this thing thou hast done to us—not to call for us when thou didst go to fight with Midian?' and they strive with him severely; 2 and he saith unto them, 'What have I done now like you? are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the harvest of Abi-Ezer? 3 Into your hand hath God given the heads of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and what have I been able to do like you?' Then their temper desisted from off him in his speaking this thing.
4 And Gideon cometh in unto the Jordan, passing over, he and the three hundred men who 'are' with him—wearied, and pursuing, 5 and he saith to the men of Succoth, 'Give, I pray you, cakes of bread to the people who 'are' at my feet, for they 'are' wearied, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna kings of Midian.' 6 And the heads of Succoth say, 'Is the hand of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we give to thy host bread?' 7 And Gideon saith, 'Therefore—in Jehovah's giving Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand—I have threshed your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness, and with the threshing instruments.' 8 And he goeth up thence 'to' Penuel, and speaketh unto them thus; and the men of Penuel answer him as the men of Succoth answered. 9 And he speaketh also to the men of Penuel, saying, 'In my turning back in peace, I break down this tower.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 8:1-9
Commentary on Judges 8:1-3
(Read Judges 8:1-3)
Those who will not attempt or venture any thing in the cause of God, will be the most ready to censure and quarrel with such as are of a more zealous and enterprising spirit. And those who are the most backward to difficult services, will be the most angry not to have the credit of them. Gideon stands here as a great example of self-denial; and shows us that envy is best removed by humility. The Ephraimites had given vent to their passion in very wrong freedom of speech, a certain sign of a weak cause: reason runs low when chiding flies high.
Commentary on Judges 8:4-12
(Read Judges 8:4-12)
Gideon's men were faint, yet pursuing; fatigued with what they had done, yet eager to do more against their enemies. It is many a time the true Christian's case, fainting, and yet pursuing. The world knows but little of the persevering and successful struggle the real believer maintains with his sinful heart. But he betakes himself to that Divine strength, in the faith of which he began his conflict, and by the supply of which alone he can finish it in triumph.