In verses 1-3, the Ephramites were upset with Gideon for not giving them a formal invitation to fight against the Midianites in the first place. But Gideon was acting based on what God had called him to do. So, he praises them saying they had done a greater thing, killing the two Midianite kings, Oreb and Zeeb. There are people in the church who desire to serve but do not offer themselves in the first place. So, when someone else is asked instead they are upset because they were not asked to do it.

In verses 4-9, Gideon says the men of Succoth did a greater crime. He asked for bread but was rejected. They did not believe Gideon could defeat the two existing Midian kings and were afraid to help as they might face repercussions from the Midianites. Gideon warned them that after he defeated the Midianites, he would return to teach them a lesson. 

In verses 10-12, he went off to capture the two existing Midian kings, Zebah and Zalmmuna. In verses 13-17, he returned from battle and caught a young man of Succoth and asked him where the seventy-seven elders of Succoth were, He brought the Midian kings to them and told them he was here to teach them a lesson. He punished them with desert thorns and briers; tore down the tower of Peniel and killed the men there, and the Midian kings in verses 18-21. 

In verses 22-24, it was then the Israelites willingly submit to Gideon’s leadership. However, Gideon told them that they should submit to God’s leadership, not his. He requested the people give him each a share of the plunder, a gold earring from the Ishmaelites that they had taken from. In verses 25-27, they gave it to him. The total was seventeen shekels. Gideon used it to make an ephod which he placed in Ophrah, his town and it became an idol of worship that eventually ensnared Gideon and his family.

In verses 28-32, Israel enjoyed 40 years of peace under Jerubbaal. His father renamed him Gideon (Judges 6:32). Gideon means “feller, hewer, great warrior” and Jerubbaal means “contender with Baal.” The name, “Jerubbaal” was given to him because of this one exploit, the cutting down of the groves of Baal. 

Gideon had seventy sons, many wives, and a concubine in Shechem who bore him a son named Abimelech, “my father, the king,” a common name of Philistine kings. He died at a good old age and was buried in his father’s tomb in Ophrah. In verses 33-35, after Gideon’s death, Israel worshipped other gods and forgot about God or cared for Gideon’s family.

Lessons: 1) We are just as forgetful and ungrateful as the Israelites, quick to forget what God or His servants had done for us. 2) When there is no leader, we tend to do whatever we like just as Israel did what was right in their own eyes. 3) In times of peace and prosperity, we can become slack and lazy even Gideon went home to retire and enjoy himself with his many wives and his concubine in Shechem.

Reflective Prayer: Lord, I pray that I will not forget what you have done for me and become ungrateful like the Israelites. I pray that I will walk according to your instructions as revealed and taught to me in the scriptures, and not do as I like or wish that often comes from fleshly desires. I also pray that I will be weary not to become complacent and lazy when you prosper and bless me in my life. Lastly, I will humbly offer myself to serve you instead of waiting for someone to invite me to serve you.