Judges 8:1

CHAPTER VIII

The Ephraimites are angry with Gideon because he did not call

them particularly to his assistance; he pacifies them, 1-3.

Gideon and his three hundred men pass over Jordan, pursuing the

Midianites; and, being faint, ask victuals from the princes of

Succoth, but are refused, 4-7.

They make the like application to the people of Penuel, and are

also refused, 8, 9.

Gideon defeats Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, and

takes them prisoners, 10-12.

He chastises the men of Succoth and Penuel, 13-17.

He slays Zebah and Zalumunna, who had killed his brethren,

18-21.

The Israelites offer him the kingdom, which he refuses, 22, 23.

He requires from them the gold rings which they had taken from

the Ishmaelites, and makes an ephod, which he sets up at

Ophrah; and it became an instrument of idolatry, 24-27.

The land enjoys peace forty years; Gideon dies, having

seventy-one sons, 28-32.

The Israelites fall into idolatry, and forget their

obligations to Gideon's family, 33-35.

NOTES ON CHAP. VIII

Verse Judges 8:1. The men of Ephraim said] This account is no doubt displaced; for what is mentioned here could not have taken place till the return of Gideon from the pursuit of the Midianites; for he had not yet passed Jordan, Judges 8:4. And it was when he was beyond that river that the Ephraimites brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to him, Judges 7:25.