This chapter gives us a further account of Gideon's victory over the Midianites, with the residue of the story of his life and government. I. Gideon prudently pacifies the offended Ephraimites, ver. 1-3. II. He bravely pursues the flying Midianites, ver. 4, 10-12. III. He justly chastises the insolence of the men of Succoth and Penuel, who basely abused him (ver. 5-9), and were reckoned with for it, ver. 13-17. IV. He honourably slays the two kings of Midian, ver. 18-21. V. After all this he modestly declines the government of Israel, ver. 22, 23. VI. He foolishly gratified the superstitious humour of his people by setting up an ephod in his own city, which proved a great snare, ver. 24-27. VII. He kept the country quiet for forty years, ver. 28. VIII. He died in honour, and left a numerous family behind him, ver. 29-32. IX. Both he and his God were soon forgotten by ungrateful Israel, ver. 33-35.
Gideon Pacifies the Ephraimites. (b. c. 1249.)