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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J U D G E S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter gives us a further account of Gideon's victory over the
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Midianites, with the residue of the story of his life and government.
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I. Gideon prudently pacifies the offended Ephraimites,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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II. He bravely pursues the flying Midianites,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:4,10-12">ver. 4, 10-12</A>.
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III. He justly chastises the insolence of the men of Succoth and
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Penuel, who basely abused him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:5-9">ver. 5-9</A>),
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and were reckoned with for it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:13-17">ver. 13-17</A>.
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IV. He honourably slays the two kings of Midian,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:18-21">ver. 18-21</A>.
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V. After all this he modestly declines the government of Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:22,23">ver. 22, 23</A>.
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VI. He foolishly gratified the superstitious humour of his people by
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setting up an ephod in his own city, which proved a great snare,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:24-27">ver. 24-27</A>.
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VII. He kept the country quiet for forty years,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:28">ver. 28</A>.
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VIII. He died in honour, and left a numerous family behind him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:29-32">ver. 29-32</A>.
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IX. Both he and his God were soon forgotten by ungrateful Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:33-35">ver. 33-35</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Jud8_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Gideon Pacifies the Ephraimites.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1249.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us
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thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with
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the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.
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2 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of
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you? <I>Is</I> not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than
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the vintage of Abiezer?
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3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian,
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Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you?
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Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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No sooner were the Midianites, the common enemy, subdued, than, through
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the violence of some hot spirits, the children of Israel were ready to
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quarrel among themselves; an unhappy spark was struck, which, if Gideon
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had not with a great deal of wisdom and grace extinguished immediately,
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might have broken out into a flame of fatal consequence. The
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Ephraimites, when they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon as
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general, instead of congratulating him upon his successes and
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addressing him with thanks for his great services, as they ought to
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have done, picked a quarrel with him and grew very hot upon it.</P>
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<P>
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I. Their accusation was very peevish and unreasonable: <I>Why didst
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thou not call us when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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Ephraim was brother to Manasseh, Gideon's tribe, and had the
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pre-eminence in Jacob's blessing and in Moses's, and therefore was very
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jealous of Manasseh, lest that tribe should at any time eclipse the
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honour of theirs. Hence we find Manasseh against Ephraim and Ephraim
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against Manasseh,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+9:21">Isa. ix. 21</A>.
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<I>A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their
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contentions are as the bars of a castle,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:19">Prov. xviii. 19</A>.
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But how unjust was their quarrel with Gideon! They were angry that he
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did not send for them to begin the attack upon Midian, as well as to
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follow the blow. Why were they not called to lead the van? The post of
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honour, they thought, belonged to them. But,
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1. Gideon was called of God, and must act as he directed; he neither
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took the honour to himself nor did he himself dispose of honours, but
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left it to God to do all. So that the Ephraimites, in this quarrel,
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reflected upon the divine conduct; and what was Gideon that they
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<I>murmured against him?</I>
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2. Why did not the Ephraimites offer themselves willingly to the
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service? They knew the enemy was in their country, and had heard of
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the forces that were raising to oppose them, to which they ought to
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have joined themselves, in zeal for the common cause, though they had
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not a formal invitation. Those seek themselves more than God that stand
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upon a point of honour to excuse themselves from doing real service to
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God and their generation. In Deborah's time there was a root of
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Ephraim,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:14"><I>ch.</I> v. 14</A>.
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Why did not this appear now? The case itself called them, they needed
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not wait for a call from Gideon.
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3. Gideon had saved their credit in not calling them. If he had sent
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for them, no doubt may of them would have gone back with the
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faint-hearted, or been dismissed with the lazy, slothful, and
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intemperate; so that by not calling them he prevented the putting of
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those slurs upon them. Cowards will seem valiant when the danger is
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over, but those consult their reputation who try not their courage when
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danger is near.</P>
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<P>
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II. Gideon's answer was very calm and peaceable, and was intended not
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so much to justify himself as to please and pacify them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>.
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He answers them,
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1. With a great deal of meekness and temper. He did not resent the
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affront, nor answer anger with anger, but mildly reasoned the case with
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them, and he won as true honour by this command which he had over his
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own passion as by his victory over the Midianites. <I>He that is slow
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to anger is better than the mighty.</I>
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2. With a great deal of modesty and humility, magnifying their
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performances above his own: <I>Is not the gleaning of the grapes of
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Ephraim,</I> who picked up the stragglers of the enemy, and cut off
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those of them that escaped, <I>better than the vintage of
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Abiezer</I>--a greater honour to them, and better service to the
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country, than the first attack Gideon made upon them? The destruction
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of the church's enemies is compared to a vintage,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:18">Rev. xiv. 18</A>.
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In this he owns their gleanings better than his gatherings. The
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improving of a victory is often more honourable, and of greater
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consequence, than the winning of it; in this they had signalized
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themselves, and their own courage and conduct, or, rather, God had
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dignified them; for thought, to magnify their achievements, he is
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willing to diminish his own performances, yet he will not take any
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flowers from God's crown to adorn theirs with: "<I>God has delivered
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into your hands the princes of Midian,</I> and a great slaughter has
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been made of the enemy by your numerous hosts, and <I>what was I able
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to do</I> with 300 men, <I>in comparison of you</I> and your brave
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exploits?" Gideon stands here a very great example of self-denial, and
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this instance shows us,
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(1.) That humility of deportment is the best way to remove envy. It is
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true even right works are often envied,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+4:4">Eccl. iv. 4</A>.
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Yet they are not so apt to be so when those who do them appear not to
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be proud of them. Those are malignant indeed who seek to cast down
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from their excellency those that humble and abase themselves,
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(2.) It is likewise the surest method of ending strife, for <I>only by
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pride comes contention,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+13:10">Prov. xiii. 10</A>.
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(3.) Humility is most amiable and admirable in the midst of great
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attainments and advancements. Gideon's conquests did greatly set off
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his condescensions.
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(4.) It is the proper act of humility to <I>esteem others better than
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ourselves,</I> and <I>in honour to prefer one another.</I></P>
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<P>
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Now what was the issue of this controversy? The Ephraimites had
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<I>chidden with him sharply</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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forgetting the respect due to their general and one whom God had
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honoured, and giving vent to their passion in a very indecent liberty
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of speech, a certain sign of a weak and indefensible cause. Reason runs
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low when the chiding flies high. But Gideon's <I>soft answer turned
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away their wrath,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+15:1">Prov. xv. 1</A>.
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<I>Their anger was abated towards him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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It is intimated that they retained some resentment, but he prudently
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overlooked it and let it cool by degrees. Very great and good men must
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expect to have their patience tried by the unkindnesses and follies
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even of those they serve and must not think it strange.</P>
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<A NAME="Jud8_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jud8_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Gideon Pursues the Midianites.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1249.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 And Gideon came to Jordan, <I>and</I> passed over, he, and the
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three hundred men that <I>were</I> with him, faint, yet pursuing
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<I>them.</I>
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5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves
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of bread unto the people that follow me; for they <I>be</I> faint, and
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I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
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6 And the princes of Succoth said, <I>Are</I> the hands of Zebah and
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Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine
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army?
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7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath delivered Zebah
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and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the
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thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
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8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them
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likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of
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Succoth had answered <I>him.</I>
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9 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come
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again in peace, I will break down this tower.
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10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna <I>were</I> in Karkor, and their hosts
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with them, about fifteen thousand <I>men,</I> all that were left of
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all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an
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hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
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11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on
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the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host
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was secure.
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12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and
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took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited
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all the host.
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13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the
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sun <I>was up,</I>
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14 And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired
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of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the
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elders thereof, <I>even</I> threescore and seventeen men.
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15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah
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and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, <I>Are</I> the
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hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should
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give bread unto thy men <I>that are</I> weary?
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16 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the
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wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of
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Succoth.
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17 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of
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the city.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. Gideon, as a valiant general, pursuing the remaining Midianites, and
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bravely following his blow. A very great slaughter was made of the
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enemy at first: 120,000 <I>men that drew the sword,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Such a terrible execution did they make among themselves, and so easy a
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prey were they to Israel. But, it seems, the two kings of Midian, being
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better provided than the rest for an escape, with 15,000 men got over
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Jordan before the passes could be secured by the Ephraimites, and made
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towards their own country. Gideon thinks he does not fully execute his
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commission to save Israel if he let them escape. He is not content to
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chase them out of the country, but he will <I>chase them out of the
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world,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+18:18">Job xviii. 18</A>.
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This resolution is here pushed on with great firmness, and crowned with
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great success.</P>
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<P>
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1. His firmness was very exemplary. He effected his purpose under the
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greatest disadvantages and discouragements that could be.
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(1.) He took none with him but his 300 men, who now laid aside their
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trumpets and torches, and betook themselves to their swords and spears.
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God had said, <I>By these 300 men will I save you</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:7"><I>ch.</I> vii. 7</A>);
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and, confiding in that promise, Gideon kept to them only,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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He expected more from 300 men, supported by a particular promise, than
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from so many thousands supported only by their own valour.
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(2.) They were <I>faint, and yet pursuing,</I> much fatigued with what
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they had done, and yet eager to do more against the enemies of their
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country. Our spiritual warfare must thus be prosecuted with what
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strength we have, though we have but little; it is many a time the true
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Christina's case, fainting and yet pursuing.
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(3.) Though he met with discouragement from those of his own people,
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was jeered for what he was doing, as going about what he could never
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accomplish, yet he went on with it. If those that should be our helpers
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in the way of our duty prove hindrances to us, let not this drive us
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off from it. Those know not how to value God's acceptance that know not
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how to despise the reproaches and contempts of men.
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(4.) He made a very long march by <I>the way of those that dwelt in
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tents</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
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either because he hoped to find them kinder to him than the men of
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Succoth and Penuel, that dwelt in walled towns (sometimes there is more
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generosity and charity found in country tents than in city palaces), or
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because that was a road in which he would be least expected, and
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therefore that way it would be the greater surprise to them. It is
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evident he spared no pains to complete his victory. Now he found it an
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advantage to have his 300 men such as could bear hunger, and thirst,
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and toil. It should seem, he set upon the enemy by night, as he had
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|
done before, for <I>the host was secure.</I> The security of sinners
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|
often proves their ruin, and dangers are most fatal when least
|
|
feared.</P>
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<P>
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2. His success was very encouraging to resolution and industry in a
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good cause. He routed the army
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and took the two kings prisoners,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The fear of the wicked shall come upon him. Those that think to
|
|
run <I>from the sword of the Lord and of Gideon</I> do but run
|
|
<I>upon</I> it. If he <I>flee from the iron weapon,</I> yet <I>the bow
|
|
of steel shall strike him through;</I> for <I>evil pursueth
|
|
sinners.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is Gideon, as a righteous judge, chastising the insolence of
|
|
the disaffected Israelites, the men of Succoth and the men of Penuel,
|
|
both in the tribe of Gad, on the other side Jordan.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Their crime was great. Gideon, with a handful of feeble folk was
|
|
pursuing the common enemy, to complete the deliverance of Israel. His
|
|
way led him through the city of Succoth first and afterwards of Penuel.
|
|
He expected not that the magistrates should meet him in their
|
|
formalities, congratulate him upon his victory, present him with the
|
|
keys of their city, and give him a treat, much less that they should
|
|
send forces in to his assistance, though he was entitled to all this;
|
|
but he only begs some necessary food for his soldiers that were ready
|
|
to faint for want, and he does it very humbly and importunately:
|
|
<I>Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow
|
|
me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
The request would have been reasonable if they had been but poor
|
|
travellers in distress; but considering that they were soldiers,
|
|
<I>called, and chose, and faithful</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+17:14">Rev. xvii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
men whom God had greatly honoured and to whom Israel was highly
|
|
obliged, who had done great service to their country and were now doing
|
|
more,--that they were conquerors, and had power to put them under
|
|
contribution,--and that they were fighting God's battles and
|
|
Israel's,--nothing could be more just than that their brethren should
|
|
furnish them with the best provisions their city afforded. But the
|
|
princes of Succoth neither <I>feared God nor regarded man.</I> For,
|
|
|
|
(1.) In contempt of God, they refused to answer the just demands of him
|
|
whom God had raised up to save them, affronted him, bantered him,
|
|
despised the success he had already been honoured with, despaired of
|
|
the success of his present undertaking, did what they could to
|
|
discourage him in prosecuting the war, and were very willing to believe
|
|
that the remaining forces of Midian, which they had now seen march
|
|
through their country, would be too hard for him: <I>Are the hands of
|
|
Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand?</I> "No, nor ever will be," so they
|
|
conclude, judging by the disproportion of numbers.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The bowels of their compassion were shut up against their
|
|
brethren; they were as destitute of love as they were of faith, would
|
|
not give morsels of bread (so some read it) to those that were ready to
|
|
perish. Were these princes? were these Israelites? unworthy either
|
|
title, base and degenerate men! Surely they were worshippers of Baal,
|
|
or in the interests of Midian. The men of Penuel gave the same answer
|
|
to the same request, defying <I>the sword of the Lord and of
|
|
Gideon,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The warning he gave them of the punishment of their crime was very
|
|
fair.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He did not punish it immediately, because he would not lose so
|
|
much time from the pursuit of the enemy that were flying from him,
|
|
because he would not seem to do it in a neat of passion, and because he
|
|
would do it more to their shame and confusion when he had completed his
|
|
undertaking, which they thought impracticable. But,
|
|
|
|
(2.) He told them how he would punish it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:7,9"><I>v.</I> 7, 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
to show the confidence he had of success in the strength of God, and
|
|
that, if they had the least grain of grace and consideration left, they
|
|
might upon second thoughts repent of their folly, humble themselves,
|
|
and contrive how to atone for it, by sending after him succours and
|
|
supplies, which if they had done, no doubt, Gideon would have pardoned
|
|
them. God gives notice of danger, and space to repent, that sinners may
|
|
<I>flee from the wrath to come.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The warning being slighted, the punishment, though very severe, was
|
|
really very just.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The princes of Succoth were first made examples. Gideon got
|
|
intelligence of their number, seventy-seven men, their names, and
|
|
places of abode, which were described in writing to him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, to their great surprise, when they thought he had scarcely
|
|
overtaken the Midianites, he returned a conqueror. His 300 men were now
|
|
the ministers of his justice; they secured all these princes, and
|
|
brought them before Gideon, who showed them his royal captives in
|
|
chains. "These are the men you thought me an unequal match for, and
|
|
would give me no assistance in the pursuit of,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
And he punished them with thorns and briers, but, it should seem, not
|
|
unto death. With these,
|
|
|
|
[1.] He tormented their bodies, either by scourging or by rolling them
|
|
in the thorns and briers; some way or other he <I>tore their flesh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those shall have judgment without mercy that have shown no mercy.
|
|
Perhaps he observed them to be soft and delicate men, who despised him
|
|
and his company for their roughness and hardiness, and therefore Gideon
|
|
thus mortified them for their effeminacy.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He instructed their minds: With these <I>he taught the men of
|
|
Succoth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
The correction he gave them was intended, not for destruction, but
|
|
wholesome discipline, to make them wiser and better for the future.
|
|
<I>He made them know</I> (so the word is), made them know themselves
|
|
and their folly, God and their duty, made them know who Gideon was,
|
|
since they would not know by the success wherewith God had crowned him.
|
|
Note, Many are taught with the briers and thorns of affliction that
|
|
would not learn otherwise. God gives <I>wisdom</I> by <I>the rod and
|
|
reproof, chastens</I> and <I>teaches,</I> and by correction <I>opens
|
|
the ear to discipline.</I> Our blessed Saviour, though he was a Son,
|
|
yet <I>learnt obedience by the things which he suffered,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:8">Heb. v. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let every <I>pricking brier,</I> and <I>grieving thorn,</I> especially
|
|
when it becomes a <I>thorn in the flesh,</I> be thus interpreted, thus
|
|
improved. "By this God designs to teach me; what good lesson shall I
|
|
learn?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The doom of the men of Penuel comes next, and it should seem he
|
|
used them more severely than the other, for good reason, no doubt,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He <I>beat down their tower,</I> of which they gloried, in which
|
|
they trusted, perhaps scornfully advising Gideon and his men rather to
|
|
secure themselves in that than to pursue the Midianites. What men make
|
|
their pride is justly by its ruin made their shame.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He <I>slew the men of the city,</I> not all, perhaps not the
|
|
elders or princes, but those that had affronted him, and those only. He
|
|
slew some of the men of the city that were most insolent and abusive,
|
|
for terror to the rest, and <I>so he taught the men of Penuel.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Zebah and Zalmunna Slain.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1249.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men
|
|
<I>were they</I> whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou
|
|
<I>art,</I> so <I>were</I> they; each one resembled the children of a king.
|
|
19 And he said, They <I>were</I> my brethren, <I>even</I> the sons of my
|
|
mother: <I>as</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would
|
|
not slay you.
|
|
20 And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, <I>and</I> slay them.
|
|
But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he <I>was</I>
|
|
yet a youth.
|
|
21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us:
|
|
for as the man <I>is, so is</I> his strength. And Gideon arose, and
|
|
slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that <I>were</I>
|
|
on their camels' necks.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Judgment began <I>at the house of God,</I> in the just correction of
|
|
the men of Succoth and Penuel, who were Israelites, but it did not end
|
|
there. The kings of Midian, when they had served to demonstrate
|
|
Gideon's victories, and grace his triumphs, must now be reckoned with.
|
|
|
|
1. They are indicted for the murder of Gideon's brethren some time ago
|
|
at Mount Tabor. When the children of Israel, for fear of the
|
|
Midianites, made themselves <I>dens in the mountains</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+6:2"><I>ch.</I> vi. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
those young men, it is likely, took shelter in that mountain, where
|
|
they were found by these two kings, and most basely and barbarously
|
|
slain in cold blood. When he asks them <I>what manner of men they
|
|
were</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
it is not because he was uncertain of the thing, or wanted proof of it;
|
|
he was not so little concerned for his brethren's blood as not to
|
|
enquire it out before now, nor were these proud tyrants solicitous to
|
|
conceal it. But he puts that question to them that by their
|
|
acknowledgment of the more than ordinary comeliness of the persons they
|
|
slew their crime might appear the more heinous, and consequently their
|
|
punishment the more righteous. They could not but own that, though they
|
|
were found in a mean and abject condition, yet they had an unusual
|
|
greatness and majesty in their countenances, not unlike Gideon himself
|
|
at this time: they <I>resembled the children of a king,</I> born for
|
|
something great.
|
|
|
|
2. Being found guilty of this murder by their own confession, Gideon,
|
|
though he might have put them to death as Israel's judge for the
|
|
injuries done to that people in general, as Oreb and Zeeb
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:25"><I>ch.</I> vii. 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet chooses rather to put on the character of an <I>avenger of
|
|
blood,</I> as next of kin to the persons slain: <I>They were my
|
|
brethren,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Their other crimes might have been forgiven, at least Gideon would not
|
|
have slain them himself, let them have answered it to the people; but
|
|
<I>the voice of his brethren's blood cries,</I> cries <I>to him,</I>
|
|
now it is in the power of his hand to avenge it, and therefore there is
|
|
no remedy--by him must <I>their blood be shed,</I> though they were
|
|
kings. Little did they think to hear of this so long after; but murder
|
|
seldom goes unpunished even in this life.
|
|
|
|
3. The execution is done by Gideon himself with his own hand, because
|
|
he was the <I>avenger of blood;</I> he bade his son slay them, for he
|
|
was a near relation to the persons murdered, and fittest to be his
|
|
father's substitute and representative, and he would thus train him up
|
|
to the acts of justice and boldness,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
But,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The young man himself desired to be excused; he feared, though
|
|
they were bound and could make no resistance, <I>because he was yet a
|
|
youth,</I> and not used to such work: courage does not always run in
|
|
the blood.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The prisoners themselves desired that Gideon would excuse it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
begged that, if they must die, they might die <I>by his own hand,</I>
|
|
which would be somewhat more honourable to them, and more easy; for by
|
|
his great strength they would sooner be dispatched and rid out of their
|
|
pain. <I>As is the man, so is his strength.</I> Either they mean it of
|
|
themselves (they were men of such strength as called for a better hand
|
|
than that young man's to overpower quickly) or of Gideon, "Thou art at
|
|
thy full strength; he has not yet come to it; therefore be thou the
|
|
executioner." From those that are grown up to maturity, it is expected
|
|
that what they do in any service be done with so much the more
|
|
strength. Gideon dispatched them quickly, and seized the <I>ornaments
|
|
that were on their camels' necks, ornaments like the moon,</I> so it is
|
|
in the margin, either badges of their royalty or perhaps of their
|
|
idolatry, for Ashteroth was represented by the moon, as Baal by the
|
|
sun. With there he took all their other ornaments, as appears
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>,
|
|
|
|
where we find that he did not put them to so good a use as one would
|
|
have wished. The destruction of these two kings, and that of the two
|
|
princes
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:25"><I>ch.</I> vii. 25</A>)
|
|
|
|
is long afterwards pleaded as a precedent in prayer for the ruin of
|
|
others of the church's enemies,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+83:11">Ps. lxxxiii. 11</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes as Zebah
|
|
and Zalmunna,</I> let them all be but off in like manner.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_28"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Gideon Declines the Proffered Crown.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1249.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us,
|
|
both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast
|
|
delivered us from the hand of Midian.
|
|
23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither
|
|
shall my son rule over you: the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall rule over you.
|
|
24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you,
|
|
that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For
|
|
they had golden earrings, because they <I>were</I> Ishmaelites.)
|
|
25 And they answered, We will willingly give <I>them.</I> And they
|
|
spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of
|
|
his prey.
|
|
26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was
|
|
a thousand and seven hundred <I>shekels</I> of gold; beside ornaments,
|
|
and collars, and purple raiment that <I>was</I> on the kings of
|
|
Midian, and beside the chains that <I>were</I> about their camels'
|
|
necks.
|
|
27 And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city,
|
|
<I>even</I> in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it:
|
|
which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
|
|
28 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so
|
|
that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in
|
|
quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. Gideon's laudable modesty, after his great victory, in refusing the
|
|
government which the people offered him.
|
|
|
|
1. It was honest in them to offer it: <I>Rule thou over us, for thou
|
|
hast delivered us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
They thought it very reasonable that he who had gone through the toils
|
|
and perils of their deliverance should enjoy the honour and power of
|
|
commanding them ever afterwards, and very desirable that he who in this
|
|
great and critical juncture had had such manifest tokens of God's
|
|
presence with him should ever afterwards preside in their affairs. Let
|
|
us apply it to the Lord Jesus: he hath delivered us out of the hands of
|
|
our enemies, our spiritual enemies, the worst and most dangerous, and
|
|
therefore it is fit he should rule over us; for how can we be better
|
|
ruled than by one that appears to have so great an interest in heaven
|
|
and so great a kindness for this earth? We are delivered that we may
|
|
<I>serve him without fear,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:74,75">Luke i. 74, 75</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. It was honourable in him to refuse it: <I>I will not rule over
|
|
you,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
What he did was with a design to serve them, not to rule them--to make
|
|
them safe, easy, and happy, not to make himself great or honourable.
|
|
And, as he was not ambitious of grandeur himself, so he did not covet
|
|
to entail it upon his family: "<I>My son shall not rule over you,</I>
|
|
either while I live or when I am gone, <I>but the Lord shall</I> still
|
|
<I>rule over you,</I> and constitute your judges by the special
|
|
designation of his own Spirit, as he has done." This intimates,
|
|
|
|
(1.) His modesty, and the mean opinion he had of himself and his own
|
|
merits. He thought the honour of doing good was recompence enough for
|
|
all his services, which needed not to be rewarded with the honour of
|
|
bearing sway. <I>He that is greatest, let him be your minister.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) His piety, and the great opinion he had of God's government.
|
|
Perhaps he discerned in the people a dislike of the theocracy, or
|
|
divine government, a desire of a king like the nations, and thought
|
|
they availed themselves of his merits as a colourable pretence to move
|
|
for this change of government. But Gideon would by no means admit it.
|
|
No good man can be pleased with any honour done to himself which ought
|
|
to be peculiar to God. <I>Were you baptized in the name of Paul?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:13">1 Cor. i. 13</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. Gideon's irregular zeal to perpetuate the remembrance of this
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victory by an ephod made of the choicest of the spoils.
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1. He asked the men of Israel to give him the ear-rings of their prey;
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for such ornaments they stripped the slain of in abundance. These he
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demanded, either because they were the finest gold, and therefore
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fittest for a religious use, or because they had had as ear-rings some
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superstitious signification, which he thought too well of. Aaron called
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for the ear-rings to make the golden calf of,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+32:2">Exod. xxxii. 2</A>.
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These Gideon begged
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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And he had reason enough to think that those who offered him a crown,
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when he declined it, would not deny him their ear-rings, when he begged
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them, nor did they,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
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2. He himself added the spoil he took from the kings of Midian, which,
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it should seem, had fallen to his share,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
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The generals had that part of the prey which was most splendid, the
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<I>prey of divers colours,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:30"><I>ch.</I> v. 30</A>.
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3. Of this he made an ephod,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
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It was plausible enough, and might be well intended to preserve a
|
|
memorial of so divine a victory in the judge's own city. But it was a
|
|
very unadvised thing to make that memorial to be an ephod, a sacred
|
|
garment. I would gladly put the best construction that can be upon the
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|
actions of good men, and such a one we are sure Gideon was. But we have
|
|
reason to suspect that this ephod had, as usual, a teraphim annexed to
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it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+3:4">Hos. iii. 4</A>),
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|
and that, having an altar already built by divine appointment
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+6:26"><I>ch.</I> vi. 26</A>),
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|
which he erroneously imagined he might still use for sacrifice, he
|
|
intended this for an oracle, to be consulted in doubtful cases. So the
|
|
learned Dr. Spencer supposes. Each tribe having now very much its
|
|
government within itself, they were too apt to covet their religion
|
|
among themselves. We read very little of Shiloh, and the ark there, in
|
|
all the story of the Judges. Sometimes by divine dispensation, and much
|
|
oftener by the transgression of men, that law which obliged them to
|
|
worship only at that one altar seems not to have been so religiously
|
|
observed as one would have expected, any more than afterwards, when in
|
|
the reigns even of very good kings <I>the high places were not taken
|
|
away,</I> from which we may infer that that law had a further reach as
|
|
a type of Christ, by whose mediation alone all our services are
|
|
accepted. Gideon therefore, through ignorance or inconsideration,
|
|
sinned in making this ephod, though he had a good intention in it.
|
|
Shiloh, it is true, was not far off, but it was in Ephraim, and that
|
|
tribe had lately disobliged him
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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|
which made him perhaps not care to go so often among them as his
|
|
occasions would lead him to consult the oracle, and therefore he would
|
|
have one nearer home. However this might be honestly intended, and at
|
|
first did little hurt, yet in process of time,
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>Israel went a whoring after it,</I> that is, they deserted
|
|
God's altar and priesthood, being fond of change, and prone to
|
|
idolatry, and having some excuse for paying respect to this ephod,
|
|
because so good a man as Gideon had set it up, and by degrees their
|
|
respect to it grew more and more superstitious. Note, Many are led into
|
|
false ways by one false step of a good man. The beginning of sin,
|
|
particularly of idolatry and will-worship, <I>is as the letting forth
|
|
of water,</I> so it has been found in the fatal corruptions of the
|
|
church of Rome; therefore <I>leave it off before it be meddled
|
|
with.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) It became a snare to Gideon himself, abating his zeal for the
|
|
house of God in his old age, and much more to his house, who were drawn
|
|
by it into sin, and it proved the ruin of the family.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Gideon's happy agency for the repose of Israel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Midianites that had been so vexatious gave them no more
|
|
disturbance. Gideon, though he would not assume the honour and power
|
|
of a king, governed as a judge, and did all the good offices he could
|
|
for his people; so that <I>the country was in quietness forty
|
|
years.</I> Hitherto the times of Israel had been reckoned by forties.
|
|
Othniel judged forty years, Ehud eighty--just two forties, Barak forty,
|
|
and now Gideon forty, providence so ordering it to bring in mind the
|
|
forty years of their wandering in the wilderness. <I>Forty years long
|
|
was I grieved with this generation.</I> And see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+4:6">Ezek. iv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
After these, Eli ruled forty years
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+4:18">1 Sam. iv. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
Samuel and Saul forty
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:21">Acts xiii. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
David forty, and Solomon forty. Forty years is about an age.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jud8_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Israel's Return to Idolatry.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1249.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>29 And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own
|
|
house.
|
|
30 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten:
|
|
for he had many wives.
|
|
31 And his concubine that <I>was</I> in Shechem, she also bare him a
|
|
son, whose name he called Abimelech.
|
|
32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was
|
|
buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the
|
|
Abiezrites.
|
|
33 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the
|
|
children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim,
|
|
and made Baal-berith their god.
|
|
34 And the children of Israel remembered not the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> their
|
|
God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies
|
|
on every side:
|
|
35 Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal,
|
|
<I>namely,</I> Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had
|
|
showed unto Israel.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the conclusion of the story of Gideon.
|
|
|
|
1. He lived privately,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was not puffed up with his great honours, did not covet a palace or
|
|
castle to dwell in, but retired to the house he had lived in before his
|
|
elevation. Thus that brave Roman Who was called from the plough upon a
|
|
sudden occasion to command the army when the action was over returned
|
|
to his plough again.
|
|
|
|
2. His family was multiplied. He had many wives (therein he
|
|
transgressed the law); by them he had seventy sons
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
but by a concubine he had one whom he named <I>Abimelech</I> (which
|
|
signifies, <I>my father a king</I>), that proved the ruin of his
|
|
family,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. He died in honour, in a good old age, when he had lived as long as
|
|
he was capable of serving God and his country; and who would desire to
|
|
live any longer? And he was <I>buried in the sepulchre of his
|
|
fathers.</I>
|
|
|
|
4. After his death the people corrupted themselves, and went all to
|
|
naught. As soon as ever Gideon was dead, who had kept them close to the
|
|
worship of the God of Israel, they found themselves under no restraint,
|
|
and then they <I>went a whoring after Baalim,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
They went a whoring first after another ephod
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
for which irregularity Gideon had himself given them too much occasion,
|
|
and now they went a whoring after another god. False worships made way
|
|
for false deities. They now chose a new god
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+5:8"><I>ch.</I> v. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
a god of a new name, <I>Baal-berith</I> (a goddess, say some); Berith,
|
|
some think, was Berytus, the place where the Phoenicians worshipped
|
|
this idol. The name signifies <I>the Lord of a covenant.</I> Perhaps he
|
|
was so called because his worshippers joined themselves by covenant to
|
|
him, in imitation of Israel's covenanting with God; for the devil is
|
|
God's ape. In this revolt of Israel to idolatry they showed,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Great ingratitude to God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They remembered not the Lord,</I> not only who had delivered them
|
|
into the hands of their enemies, to punish them for their idolatry, but
|
|
who had also <I>delivered them out of the hands of their enemies,</I>
|
|
to invite them back again into his service; both the judgments and the
|
|
mercies were forgotten, and the impressions of them lost.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Great ingratitude to Gideon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
A great deal of <I>goodness he had shown unto Israel,</I> as a father
|
|
to his country, for which they ought to have been kind to his family
|
|
when he was gone, for that is one way by which we ought to show
|
|
ourselves grateful to our friends and benefactors, and may be returning
|
|
their kindnesses when they are in their graves. But Israel showed not
|
|
this kindness to Gideon's family, as we shall find in the next chapter.
|
|
No wonder if those who forget their God forget their friends.</P>
|
|
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|
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