Judges
Who is on the Lord’s Side?
Israel gathered 32,000 troops at a spring called Hard at the foot of Mt. Gilboa (v. 1). However, the Lord objected to this number and commanded Gideon to send those who were afraid back home which amounted to two thirds of the men (vv. 2-3). Again, the Lord objected to the size of Gideon’s …
The Surprise Attack
The Ephraimites had played an important role in Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (Judges 7:24-25). When Gideon called on them, they came, defending the Jordan River and slaying Oreb and Zeeb, the princes of Midian. But despite their great victory, the Ephraimites were provoked, wishing …
Full Hospitality for Weary Travelers
Since it was late in the day his servant suggested that they spend the night in Jerusalem, but the Levite said no because it belonged to foreigners and was not considered a proper place to be (vv. 11-13). Instead, they traveled on north to Gibeah and arrived there just as the sun was going down …
The Danites Search for New Territory
The passage begins with two things that were lacking in those days. There was no king in Israel, and there was no inheritance for the tribe of Dan (v. 1). In truth, Dan had been given an inheritance along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (Joshua 19:40-46), but they had failed to take it from the …
The Repentance of Israel
Under heavy persecution from the Ammonites, the tribes of Israel began to pray for grace and confessing their wrong doings (v. 10). They put away all the foreign idols to serve the Lord. The Lord spoke sternly to His people (vv. 11-14). He reminded them of how He had granted them seven …
Abimelech Wanted to Get Revenge
The next day the men went out into the fields, and Abimelech was told about the planned rebellion. He took his men and divided them into three companies and laid in wait in the field. He looked and beheld the people coming out of the city. He rose up and smote them (vv. 42-52). In an act of …
The Destruction of Shechem
The central theme of this event shows how the Lord dealt in history with those who dared to transgress His moral laws. Abimelech had made his home at a fortress five miles southeast of Shechem. He had put Zebul, one of his officials in charge of Shechem. A new leader by the name …
Gideon’s Sense of Justice
Gideon returned from the battle in victory (v. 13). But he wasn’t going to be satisfied until his idea of justice was fulfilled. First, he captured a young man of Succoth, gleaning from him a list of all 77 officials and elders of the city (v. 14). He then presented Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of …
The Victory Song
Deborah’s and Borah’s song of victory is among the most beautiful poems of the Old Testament (v. 1). Probably Israel sang it for years after they were gone. The song begins with praise to the Lord for His great deeds during the Exodus and wilderness wandering (vv. 2-4). It then goes into …
The Renegade Who Lusted for Power
It is interesting to note that after Judges 8 Gideon’s name per se is never mentioned again. In Judges 9 he is always called Jerubbaal! He took many wives and raised a family of seventy sons for which his family would suffer bitterly. God had warned future leaders through the law about taking many …