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 ."
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.