81 Then the men of Ephraim said to him, " What is this thing you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight against Midian ?" And they contended with him vigorously . 2 But he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer ? 3 "God has given the leaders of Midian , Oreb and Zeeb into your hands ; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?" Then their anger toward e him subsided when he said that.
4 Then Gideon and the 300 e men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over , weary yet pursuing . 5 He said to the men of Succoth , "Please give loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are weary , and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna , the kings of Midian ." 6 The leaders of Succoth said , " Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hands , that we should give bread to your army ?" 7 Gideon said , "All right , when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand , then I will thrash your bodies with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers ." 8 He went up from there to Penuel and spoke similarly to them; and the men of Penuel answered him just as the men of Succoth had answered . 9 So he spoke also to the men of Penuel , saying , "When I return safely , I will tear down this tower ." 10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor , and their armies with them, about 15,000 e e men, all who were left of the entire army of the sons of the east ; for the fallen were 120,000 e e swordsmen e e . 11 Gideon went up by the way of those who lived in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah , and attacked the camp when the camp was unsuspecting . 12 When Zebah and Zalmunna fled , he pursued them and captured the two kings of Midian , Zebah and Zalmunna , and routed the whole army . 13 Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres . 14 And he captured a youth from Succoth and questioned him. Then the youth wrote down for him the princes of Succoth and its elders , seventy-seven men . 15 He came to the men of Succoth and said , "Behold Zebah and Zalmunna , concerning whom you taunted me, saying , ' Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand , that we should give bread to your men who are weary ?' " 16 He took the elders of the city , and thorns of the wilderness and briers , and he disciplined the men of Succoth with them. 17 He tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city .
18 Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna , "What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor ?" And they said , "They were like you, each one resembling the son of a king ." 19 He said , "They were my brothers , the sons of my mother . As the Lord lives , if only you had let them live , I would not kill you." 20 So he said to Jether his firstborn , "Rise , kill them." But the youth did not draw his sword , for he was afraid , because he was still a youth . 21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said , "Rise up yourself , and fall on us; for as the man , so is his strength ." So Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna , and took the crescent ornaments which were on their camels' necks .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 8:1-21
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.
Commentary on Judges 8:13-17
(Read Judges 8:13-17)
The active servants of the Lord meet with more dangerous opposition from false professors than from open enemies; but they must not care for the behaviour of those who are Israelites in name, but Midianites in heart. They must pursue the enemies of their souls, and of the cause of God, though they are ready to faint through inward conflicts and outward hardships. And they shall be enabled to persevere. The less men help, and the more they seek to hinder, the more will the Lord assist. Gideon's warning being slighted, the punishment was just. Many are taught with the briers and thorns of affliction, who would not learn otherwise.
Commentary on Judges 8:18-21
(Read Judges 8:18-21)
The kings of Midian must be reckoned with. As they confessed themselves guilty of murder, Gideon acted as the avenger of blood, being the next of kin to the persons slain. Little did they think to have heard of this so long after; but murder seldom goes unpunished in this life. Sins long forgotten by man, must be accounted for to God. What poor consolation in death from the hope of suffering less pain, and of dying with less disgrace than some others! yet many are more anxious on these accounts, than concerning the future judgment, and what will follow.