The Ephraimites are displeased with Gideon; he satisfies them, 1-3. He pursueth two kings of the Midianites beyond Jordan, where Succoth and Penuel refuse to relieve Gideon’s army: the kings being taken by him, in his return he punisheth those of Succoth and Penuel, 4-17. He revengeth his brethren’s death on the two kings, 18-21. He refuseth government, 22, 23; demandeth a present of the spoil, and thereof makes an ephod; places it in Ophrah; it is a cause of idolatry, 24-27. Gideon’s children, wives, death, and burial, 30-32. Israel revolts to idolatry; is ungrateful to Gideon’s family, 33-35.
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John Preston's Golden Sceptre: '[God does deal with sin in His beloved children.] How sharply did God deal with David, who was yet nearer to him than any of us! First he took away the child from him, which to him was a sharp affliction, he being a tender father, and had a strong affection to his life, as appears by his fastings; and the like he had to Absalom, who yet was a rebel against him; and then to have almost all the people to fall from him, when he was an old king, and the sword never to depart from his house: all these sat close to him, went near his soul; besides his shame, to have hi…
Matthew Henry: 'This chapter gives us a further account of Gideon's victory over the Midianites, with the residue of the story of his life and government. I. Gideon prudently pacifies the offended Ephraimites, verses 1-3. II. He bravely pursues the flying Midianites, verses 4, 10-12. III. He justly chastises the insolence of the men of Succoth and Penuel, who basely abused him (verses 5-9), and were reckoned with for it, verses 13-17. IV. He honourably slays the two kings of Midian, verses 18-21. V. After all this he modestly declines the government of Israel, verses 22, 23. VI. He foolishly gratified the superstitious humour of his people by setting up an ephod in his own city, which proved a grea…