The people of Israel, grateful for the victory, ask Gideon to be their king and establish a ruling dynasty over them (Judges 8:22). Ultimately, many of the remaining 15,000 enemy troops lose their life and two Midianite kings are put to death (Judges 8:10 - 21). The 300-man army of Gideon also pursues the enemy.

The Ephraimites not only guard some passages but also kill two Midianite princes (Judges 7:22 - 25). Messengers are also sent to the tribe of Ephraim requesting that they guard some of Jordan's strategic crossing areas. Those Midianites who make it out of their camp alive, for fear of Gideon, begin to travel east toward the Jordan River with three Israelite tribes pursuing them. While many begin to fight and kill each other, still others flee the area in fear (verses 21 - 22)! When signaled, the men blow a trumpet, then smash a jar to reveal a lighted torch, then shout as loud as they can 'For the Lord and for Gideon' (Judges 7:18)! The sudden noises, coupled with the appearance of torches, bring chaos and confusion to the enemy. Reassured of victory, the Israelites surround the enemy.

God, however, aware that the resolve of Gideon needs one final assurance of victory, tells him to visit, in secret, the enemy camp (verse 14). The small army of 300 is commanded to attack at night (verse 9). The Eternal, not wanting his people to believe their own strength freed them from their enemies, decides to whittle down the initial 32,000 men (Judges 7:2 - 3) who volunteered to fight the Midianites. Still lacking faith, however, he asks for and receives two miracles involving a fleece (Judges 8:36 - 40). Soon after being told what to do the Midianites gather in the valley of Jezreel (verse 33) with a combined strength of 135,000 fighting men (Judges 8:10).Īfter blowing a trumpet to sound the alarm of war, Gideon sends messengers to several tribes in order to summon an army. He is commissioned to free the Israelites from their oppressors. He then sends an angel of the Lord to a man named Gideon who, at the time of the visit, was threshing wheat near a winepress in order to avoid detection (verse 11). Their cry is heard and the Eternal sends a prophet to inform them why they were being oppressed (Judges 6:8 - 10).

Gideon's People by Carolyn Meyer