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.' 10 And Zebah and Zalmunna 'are' in Karkor, and their camps with them, about fifteen thousand, all who are left of all the camp of the sons of the east; and those falling 'are' a hundred and twenty thousand men, drawing sword. 11 And Gideon goeth up the way of those who tabernacle in tents, on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smiteth the camp, and the camp was confident; 12 and Zebab and Zalmunna flee, and he pursueth after them, and captureth the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and all the camp he hath caused to tremble. 13 And Gideon son of Joash turneth back from the battle, at the going up of the sun, 14 and captureth a young man of the men of Succoth, and asketh him, and he describeth unto him the heads of Succoth, and its elders—seventy and seven men. 15 And he cometh in unto the men of Succoth, and saith, 'Lo Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye reproached me, saying, Is the hand of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand that we give to thy men who 'are' wearied bread?' 16 And he taketh the elders of the city, and the thorns of the wilderness, and the threshing instruments, and teacheth by them the men of Succoth, 17 and the tower of Penuel he hath broken down, and slayeth the men of the city.
18 And he saith unto Zebah and unto Zalmunna, 'How—the men whom ye slew in Tabor?' and they say, 'As thou—so they, one—as the form of the king's sons.' 19 And he saith, 'My brethren—sons of my mother—they; Jehovah liveth, if ye had kept them alive—I had not slain you.' 20 And he saith to Jether his first-born, 'Rise, slay them;' and the young man hath not drawn his sword, for he hath been afraid, for he 'is' yet a youth. 21 And Zebah saith—also Zalmunna—'Rise thou, and fall upon us; for as the man—his might;' and Gideon riseth, and slayeth Zebah and Zalmunna, and taketh their round ornaments which 'are' on the necks of their camels.
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.