1
Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “What is this thing you have done to us? Why did you not call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they rebuked him sharply.
2
He said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
3
God has given into your hand the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; what was I able to do in comparison with you?” When he had said this, their anger against him subsided.
4
When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, though weary, yet still pursuing.
5
And he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are weary, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
6
But the leaders of Succoth answered, “Are Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?”
7
Then Gideon said, “Very well, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.”
8
From there he went up to Penuel and spoke to them in the same way; and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.
9
Then he also said to the men of Penuel, “When I return in peace, I will break down this tower.”
10
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were at Karkor with their army, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of the whole army of the people from the east; and those who had fallen were one hundred and twenty thousand men who drew the sword.
11
Gideon went up by the way of those who lived in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and struck the army, while the army felt secure.
12
Zebah and Zalmunna fled, but Gideon pursued them and captured the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and he routed the whole army.
13
Then Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by way of the ascent of Heres;
14
and he captured a young man from Succoth. When he questioned him, the young man wrote down for Gideon the names of the leaders and elders of Succoth, seventy-seven men.
15
Then Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, because of whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men?'”
16
Then he gathered the elders of the city, took thorns from the wilderness and briers, and with them he punished the men of Succoth.
17
He also tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.
18
Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “Where are the men whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “As you are, so were they; each one resembled a king’s son.”
19
Gideon said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother! As the LORD lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”
20
And he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Rise up, kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword, because he was afraid, for he was still young.
21
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Rise up yourself and strike us down, for as the man is, so is his strength.” So Gideon rose up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.
22
Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson as well, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”
23
Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.”
24
Then Gideon said to them, “I have one request of you: let each of you give me an earring from his spoil.” — For the enemy had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.
25
They answered, “We are willing to give them.” And after they spread out a garment, each man threw the earrings from his spoil onto it.
26
The weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the ornaments, the pendants, and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were on the necks of their camels.
27
Then Gideon made an ephod from all of it and set it up in his city, in Ophrah. There all Israel went astray by worshiping it; it became a snare to Gideon and to his household.
28
So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel and could no longer lift up its head; and the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.
29
Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house.
30
Gideon had seventy sons, all his own offspring, for he had many wives;
31
and his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.
32
Gideon son of Joash died when his hair was white, and he was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33
After Gideon died, the Israelites again turned aside and followed the Baals, and made Baal-Berith their god;
34
the Israelites did not remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side,
35
nor did they show kindness to the descendants of Jerubbaal-Gideon in return for all the good he had done for Israel.
🛡️👑🪙 Summary of Judges 8 – Gideon Finishes the Task and the Fatal Mistake
Judges 8 tells of the continuation of Gideon’s victory over Midian, the internal conflict among the tribes, and how Gideon captured and executed the two kings of Midian: Zebah and Zalmunna. But sadly, this chapter also shows the dark side of Gideon’s leadership: he made an ephod (a priestly garment) of gold which eventually became a snare of idolatry for Israel.
📌 1. Tension with the Tribe of Ephraim (verses 1–3)
- The men of Ephraim were angry because they had not been called at the beginning of the war.
- Gideon humbled himself and praised Ephraim’s contribution in capturing Oreb and Zeeb.
- In the end, they calmed their anger.
🎯 A wise leader eases conflict with humble words, not confrontation.
📌 2. Refusal from Succoth and Penuel (verses 4–9)
- Gideon asked for food for his weary troops, but was refused by the men of Succoth and Penuel.
- He swore that he would punish them after the victory.
🎯 A lack of solidarity among God’s people can weaken a shared mission.
📌 3. Capture and Execution of Zebah & Zalmunna (verses 10–21)
- Gideon pursued and captured the last two kings of Midian: Zebah and Zalmunna.
- He punished Succoth and tore down the tower of Penuel as he had promised.
- Gideon told his son Jether to kill them, but Jether was afraid.
- Finally, Gideon himself killed the two kings.
🎯 Spiritual tasks often need to be carried through with firmness and courage.
📌 4. Gideon Refuses to Be Made King (verses 22–23)
- The people of Israel wanted Gideon and his descendants to rule as king.
- Gideon refused:
“The LORD shall rule over you.”
🎯 Gideon’s refusal reflects a rare humility — though only for a time.
📌 5. Gideon Makes an Ephod from Gold (verses 24–27)
- Gideon asked for the gold earrings taken as spoil from the enemy.
- He made a ephod (a religious garment) and set it in Ophrah, his city.
- That ephod became a snare of idolatry for all Israel.
🎯 Good intentions can become an idol if they are not governed by God’s will.
📌 6. The End of Gideon’s Life (verses 28–35)
- Israel was at peace for 40 years after Gideon’s victory.
- Gideon had many wives and 70 sons, and a son by his concubine named Abimelech (who later became king).
- After Gideon died, the people of Israel returned to worshiping Baal.
🎯 Spiritual victory is not the end; faith must be guarded continually.
📖 Main Teaching
- Internal conflict must be faced with wisdom and gentleness.
- Victory does not mean everyone will support you.
- Spiritual responsibility must be carried through to completion.
- Spiritual symbols can become idols if they are made the center of attention.
- Community faith must be guarded — even after a great leader dies.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed, lest he fall!”
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now going to finish by the flesh?”
“No one can serve two masters…”
🎯 Faithfulness to the end is more important than beginning with zeal.
“The LORD who rules over you.” – Judges 8:23
“Gideon made it into an ephod… all Israel prostituted themselves there.” – verse 27
“As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites again prostituted themselves with the Baals.” – verse 33
