_A.M. 2755. B.C. 1249._ God's direction to Gideon for modelling his army, Judges 7:1. The dream of the Midianites, Judges 7:9. His manner of attacking the camp of Midian, Judges 7:16. Their total overthrow, Judges 7:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gideon rose up early_ As one whose heart was upon his business, and who was afraid of losing time. Being now sure God was with him, he is impatient of any delay. _And pitched by the well of Harod_ That his army might not be distressed for want of water; and he gained the higher ground, which possib... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people that are with thee are too many_ The army consisted of thirty-two thousand men, a small army in comparison of what Israel might have raised on so great an occasion, and a very small one in comparison with that which the Midianites had now brought into the field. Gideon, doubtless, was re... [ Continue Reading ]
_From mount Gilead_ Not that mount Gilead which was on the east side of Jordan, for the camps, both of the Israelites and Midianites, were on the west side of that river, in the land of Canaan; but another mount Gilead in the tribe of Manasseh. _There returned of the people twenty and two thousand_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord said, The people are yet too many_ For my purpose, which is so to deliver Israel that it may appear to be by my own act; that so I may have all the glory, and they may be more strongly obliged to serve me. God foresaw that if the Israelites had fought against the Midianites, even only with... [ Continue Reading ]
_That lapped_ Taking up a little water in the palm of their hands. It is probable that Gideon, upon this occasion, commanded his whole army to leave their baggage behind them, and among that the vessels and cups they used to drink out of; and, when he had brought them to the river-side, told them to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Every man unto his place_ That is, to his own home. “By this further distinction,” says Henry, “it was proved that none should be made use of, but, 1st, Men that were hardy, that could endure fatigue, without complaining of thirst or weariness; 2d, Men that were hasty, that thought it long till the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their trumpets_ That is, the trumpets belonging to the whole army, which he retained for the use following. Gideon seems to have been now inspired with the thought of the stratagem which he put in execution afterward, otherwise he would not have ordered every one of the three hundred to take a trum... [ Continue Reading ]
_The same night_ After he had dismissed all but the three hundred; _the Lord said_ In a dream or vision of the night; _But if thou fear to go down_ Namely, with thy three hundred men, to attack the Midianites. _Afterward shall thy hand be strengthened_ Thou wilt be encouraged to proceed, notwithstan... [ Continue Reading ]
_And lo, a cake tumbled into the host of Midian_ A weak and contemptible thing, and in itself as unable to overthrow a tent as to remove a mountain; but, being thrown by a divine hand, it bore down all before it. _His fellow answered_, &c. As there are many examples of significant dreams, given by G... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Gideon heard, he worshipped_ He praised God for this special encouragement. _He divided the men into three companies_ To make a show of a vast army. _Lamps within the pitchers_ The lights were put into the pitchers, partly to preserve them from the wind and weather, and partly that their appro... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said to them, Look on me_ For though two hundred of his men were placed on other sides of the camp, yet they were so disposed, that some persons, set as watchmen, might see what was done, and give notice to the rest to follow the example. _The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon_ He mentions his ow... [ Continue Reading ]
_Middle watch_ That is, of the second watch; for though afterward the night was divided into four watches by the Romans, (Matthew 14:25,) yet in more ancient times, and in the eastern parts, it was divided into three: he chose the dark and dead of the night, to increase their terror by the trumpets,... [ Continue Reading ]
_They stood_ As if they had been torch-bearers to the several companies. _Every man's sword against his fellow_ They slew one another, because they suspected treachery, and so fell upon those they first met with; which they might more easily do, because they consisted of several nations, because the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men of Israel gathered themselves together_ Upon advice of this flight of the Midianites, by swift messengers sent on purpose, the Israelites immediately poured down from all parts, to intercept them in their flight. _Take before them the waters_ That is, the passes over those waters to which t... [ Continue Reading ]
_To Gideon on the other side_ of _Jordan_ For Gideon, in the pursuit, had passed over Jordan. Oreb and Zeeb had probably taken shelter, the one in _a rock_, the other by _a wine-press._ But the places of their shelter were made the places of their slaughter, and the memory of it preserved in the nam... [ Continue Reading ]