The Midianites oppress Israel, 1-6. A prophet raised rebukes them, 7-10. An angel calls Gideon to Israel’s deliverance, 11-16; confirms him by a miracle, 17-21. He builds an altar; calls it Jehovah-shalom; and offereth there. By God’s command he breaks down the altar of Baal: his name Jerub-baal, 22-32. The Midianites gather together to fight; and Gideon prepares against them: God strengthens and confirms him by a miracle, 33-40.
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John Brown of Haddington's "Systematic Theology": 'Christ began to execute his prophetical office immediately after Adam's fall, in publishing the first promise, and particularly announcing the bad consequences of his sin, and teaching to offer sacrifices, Genesis 3:14-21. In his own person, he, at different times, and in diversified forms, issued forth manifold instructions and predictions, under the Old Testament, Genesis 6; 9; 12; 15-18; 21; 22; 26; 28; Exodus 3-34; Leviticus 1-27; Numbers 5-6; 8; 10-12; 14; 15; 17-19; 28; 29; Joshua 1; 6; 7; Judges 2; 6; 13; Zechariah 1-6.'
Matthew Henry: 'Nothing that occurred in the quiet and peaceable times of Israel is recorded; the forty years' rest after the conquest of Jabin is passed over in silence; and here begins the story of another distress and another deliverance, by Gideon, the fourth of the judges. Here is, I. The calamitous condition of Israel, by the inroads of the Midianites, verses 1-6. II. The message God sent them by a prophet, by convincing them of sin, to prepare them for deliverance, verses 7-10. III. The raising up of Gideon to be their deliverer. 1. A commission which God sent him by the hand of an angel, and confirmed by a sign, verses 11-24. 2. The firstfruits of his governmen…