JUDGES CHAPTER 8 The Ephraimites are displeased with Gideon; he satisfies them, JUDGES 8:1. He pursueth two kings of the Midianites he punisheth those of Succoth and Penuel, JUDGES 8:4. He revengeth his brethren's death on the two kings, JUDGES 8:18. He refuseth government, JUDGES 8:22,23; demandeth... [ Continue Reading ]
What was done was done by God's immediate making them one to kill another; what I have done, in cutting off some of the fugitive common soldiers, is not to be compared with your exploit in destroying their princes; I began the war, but you have finished. THE GLEANING OF THE GRAPES OF EPHRAIM; what y... [ Continue Reading ]
His soft and humble answer allayed their rage and envy. See PROVERBS 15:1, PROVERBS 25:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
PASSED OVER, or, _had passed over_: when he passed over, SEE POOLE ON "JUDGES 7:25".... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCCOTH; a place beyond Jordan, GENESIS 33:17 JOSHUA 13:27 PSALMS 60:6. KINGS OF MIDIAN; where before this time were five kings at once, NUMBERS 31:8, who either reigned separately in divers parts of the land, or governed by common counsel and consent, as sometimes there were two or three Roman empe... [ Continue Reading ]
Art thou so foolish to think, with thy three hundred faint and weary soldiers, to conquer and destroy a host of fifteen thousand men?... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE THORNS which grow abundantly in the neighbouring wilderness; I will chastise or beat your naked bodies with thorny rods, even unto death. Or, I will lay you down upon thorns on the ground, and bring the cartwheel upon you, which will both tear your flesh, and bruise you to death.... [ Continue Reading ]
PENUEL; another city beyond Jordan; of which see GENESIS 32:30 1 KINGS 12:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
Your confidence in which makes you thus proud and presumptuous. He implies that he would afterwards destroy their persons, as is expressed, JUDGES 8:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. Persons expert and exercised in war, besides the retainers to them, JUDGES 6:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THEM THAT DWELT IN TENTS, i.e. of the Arabians; so fetching a compass, and falling upon them where they least expected it. NOBAH AND JOGBEHAH; of which cities see NUMBERS 32:35,42. THE HOST WAS SECURE; being now got safe over Jordan, and a great way from the place of battle; and, probably, suppos... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
By which it may be gathered that he came upon them in the night, which was most convenient for him, who had so small a number with him; and most likely both to surprise and terrify them by the remembrance of the last night's sad work, and the expectation of another like it.... [ Continue Reading ]
He told him their names and qualities.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
By that severe punishment (of which JUDGES 8:7) he made the men, i.e. the elders of Succoth, to know their sin and folly, though it was too late for their good, but not for the instruction and warning of others.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT MANNER OF MEN, i.e. for outward shape and quality? AT TABOR; whither he understood they fled for shelter, upon the approach of the Midianites; and where he learnt that some were slain, which he suspected might be they. EACH ONE RESEMBLED THE CHILDREN OF A KING; not for their garb, or outward sp... [ Continue Reading ]
For being not Canaanites he was not obliged to kill them; but they having killed his brethren, and that in cool blood, he was by law the avenger of their blood.... [ Continue Reading ]
UP AND SLAY THEM; partly, that he might animate him to the use of arms for his God and country against their enemies, and to the exercise of justice; partly, that the death of those mischievous persons might be more shameful and painful; and partly, that he might have some share in the honour of the... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE MAN IS, SO IS HIS STRENGTH: thou excellest him, as in age and stature, so in strength; and it is more honourable, as well as easy, to dig by the hands of a valiant man.... [ Continue Reading ]
RULE THOU OVER US; not as a judge, for that he was already made by God; but as a king; and let the kingdom be hereditary to thee and to thy family. This miraculous and glorious deliverance by thy hands deserves no less from us.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT RULE OVER YOU, to wit, as a king, which you desire. THE LORD SHALL RULE OVER YOU, in a special manner, as he hath hitherto done, by judges, whom God did particularly appoint and direct, even by Urim and Thummim, and assist upon all occasions; whereas kings had a greater power, and only a... [ Continue Reading ]
OBJECT. They are called Midianites before. ANSW. Here seems to have been a mixture of people, JUDGES 6:3, which are all called by one general name, Ishmaelites, or Arabians, who used to wear earrings, GENESIS 35:4; but the greatest, and the ruling part of them, were Midianites.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Made an ephod thereof; not of all of it, for then it would have been too heavy for use; but of part of it, the rest being probably employed about other things agreeable and appertaining to it; which elsewhere are comprehended under the name of the ephod, as JUDGES 17:5, JUDGES 18:14,18 HO 3:4. PUT I... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFTED UP THEIR HEADS NO MORE, i.e. recovered not their former strength or courage, so as to conquer or oppress others, as they had done. FORTY YEARS, i.e. to the fortieth year, from the beginning of the Midianitish oppression: see on JUDGES 3:11. IN THE DAYS OF GIDEON, i.e. as long as Gideon lived.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not in his father's house, as he did before; nor yet in a court, like a king, as the people desired; but in a middle state, as a judge, for the preservation and maintenance of their religion and liberties.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN SHECHEM; she dwelt there, and he oft came thither, either to execute judgment, or upon other occasions. ABIMELECH, i.e. _my father the king_; so he called him, probably to gratify his concubine, who desired it either out of pride or design.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A GOOD OLD AGE; his long life being crowned with the continuance of his honour, tranquility, and happiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TURNED AGAIN; whereby we see the wicked temper of this people, who did no longer cleave to God than they were in a manner constrained to it by the presence and authority of their judges. BAALIM: this was the general name, including all their idols, whereof one here follows. BA... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]