“And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. Why: Heb. What thing is this thou hast done unto us sharply: Heb. strongly”
They began to cavil, because he had the glory of the victory.
“And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?”
Which have slain two princes, Oreb and Zeeb. This last act of the whole tribe is more famous, than the whole enterprise of one man of one family.
“And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.”
Hebrew , that are at my feet. Or, some small portion.
“And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?”
Because thou hast overcome an handful, thinkest thou to have overcome the whole?
“Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. men that: or, every one drawing a sword”
A city Eastward beyond Jordan.
“And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.”
He went by the wilderness where the Arabians dwelt in tents.
“And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,”
Some read, before the Sun rose up.
“And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. taught: Heb. made to know”
Hebrew, break in pieces, as one thresheth corn .
“And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.”
Cross references: : 1 Kings 12:25
“And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.”
We came all out of one belly: therefore I will be revenged.
“Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks. ornaments: or, ornaments like the moon”
Meaning, that they would be rid out of their pain at once, or else to have a valiant man to put them to death. Or, collars.
“And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)”
His intent was to show himself thankful for this victory by restoring of religion, which because it was not according as God had commanded, turned to their destruction.
“And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.”
That is, such things as pertained to the use of the Tabernacle. See more of Ephod, Exod. 28:4 , 6 ; 1 Sam. 2:18 and 2 Sam. 6:14 and Judg. 17:5 .
“And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. of his: Heb. going out of his thigh”
Hebrew, which came out of his thigh.
“And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”
Which city belonged to the family of the Abiezrites.
“And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.”
That is, Baal, to whom they had bound themselves by covenant.
“Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.”
They were unmindful of God and unkind toward him, by whom they had received so great a benefit.