1Efraimští muži potom Gedeonovi řekli: „Cos nám to udělal? Proč jsi nás nezavolal, když jsi šel bojovat s Midiánci?“ A dali se s ním do ostré hádky. 2On jim však odpověděl: „Co jsem vlastně dokázal ve srovnání s vámi? Není snad efraimské paběrkování lepší než abiezerské vinobraní? 3Bůh vydal midiánské velitele Oreba a Zeeba do vašich rukou. Co jsem já zmohl ve srovnání s vámi?“ A po těch slovech se na něj přestali hněvat. 4Gedeon pak zamířil k Jordánu a se svými třemi sty muži jej překročil. Protože byli vyčerpáni pronásledováním, 5řekl obyvatelům Sukotu: „Prosím, dejte mým mužům nějaké pecny chleba. Pronásleduji midiánské krále Zebacha a Calmunu a mí muži jsou už vyčerpaní.“ 6Sukotští vůdcové mu ale odpověděli „To už máš Zebacha a Calmunu v hrsti, že máme tvému vojsku dávat chleba?“ 7„Až mi Hospodin vydá Zebacha a Calmunu do rukou,“ prohlásil Gedeon, „za tohle vás nechám zmrskat pouštním trním a bodláčím!“ 8Vydal se odtud vzhůru do Penuelu a požádal tam o totéž. Penuelští mu ale odpověděli stejně jako předtím Sukotští. 9Gedeon proto Penuelským řekl: „Až se vrátím jako vítěz, zbořím tuhle věž!“ 10Zebach a Calmuna byli se svými vojsky v Karkoru. Z tábora východních národů zbylo jen asi 15 000 mužů; 120 000 bojovníků padlo. 11Gedeon táhl cestou kočovníků na východ od Nobachu a Jogbehy a překvapil jejich tábor nečekaným útokem. 12Oba midiánští králové Zebach a Calmuna se dali na útěk, ale on se pustil za nimi, zajal je a celé jejich vojsko rozprášil. 13Gedeon, syn Joašův, se vracel z boje přes průsmyk Cheres. 14Chytil tam jednoho mládence ze Sukotu a ten mu při výslechu vyjmenoval 77 sukotských vůdců a stařešinů. 15Když potom Gedeon přišel k sukotským mužům, řekl: „Tady je Zebach a Calmuna, kvůli kterým jste se mi vysmívali: ‚To už máš Zebacha a Calmunu v hrsti, že máme tvým vyčerpaným mužům dávat chleba?‘“ 16Pak ty stařešiny města vzal a dal Sukotským za vyučenou pouštním trním a bodláčím. 17V Penuelu pak zbořil věž a pobil měšťany. 18Potom se obrátil k Zebachovi a Calmunovi: „Co to bylo za muže, které jste pobili na hoře Tábor?“ „Byli ti podobní,“ odpověděli. „Každý z nich vypadal jako královský syn.“ 19„To byli mí bratři, synové mé matky!“ zvolal Gedeon. „Jakože je živ Hospodin – kdybyste je nechali naživu, nezabil bych vás!“ 20Načež řekl Jeterovi, svému prvorozenému: „Pojď, zabij je!“ On ale nebyl s to vytasit meč, protože se bál; byl to ještě chlapec. 21Zebach a Calmuna řekli Gedeonovi: „Pojď, udělej to sám. Muž se pozná podle síly!“ Přistoupil tedy a oba je zabil. Vzal si také ozdobné půlměsíce z krků jejich velbloudů. 22Izraelci potom Gedeona vybízeli: „Vládni nám – ty, tvůj syn i syn tvého syna. Vždyť jsi nás zachránil z rukou Midiánců!“ 23Gedeon jim odpověděl: „Nebudu vám vládnout já ani můj syn. Bude vám vládnout Hospodin.“ 24Potom dodal: „Mám na vás jen tuto prosbu: Každý mi ze své kořisti dejte jednu náušnici.“ (Našli u nich totiž zlaté náušnice, neboť to byli Izmaelité.) 25„Rádi dáme!“ odpověděli mu. Rozprostřeli plášť a každý tam hodil náušnici ze své kořisti. 26Nakonec ty zlaté náušnice, které si vyžádal, vážily 1 700 šekelů, nepočítaje ony půlměsíce a přívěsky a purpurová roucha midiánských králů ani náhrdelníky z krků jejich velbloudů. 27Gedeon z toho pak udělal efod a vystavil ho ve svém městě, v Ofře. Celý Izrael tam za ním chodil modlářsky smilnit, takže se Gedeonovi i jeho domu stal pastí. 28Midián se ale před syny Izraele musel pokořit a hlavu už nezvedl. Za Gedeonových dnů měla země mír po čtyřicet let. 29Jerub-baal, syn Joašův, se pak vrátil domů a bydlel tam. 30Gedeon měl sedmdesát synů, kteří vzešli z jeho beder – měl totiž mnoho žen. 31Jedna jeho družka mu v Šechemu porodila syna, kterému dal jméno Abimelech. 32Gedeon, syn Joašův, zemřel v utěšeném stáří a byl pohřben v hrobě svého otce Joaše v abiezerské Ofře. 33Po Gedeonově smrti Izraelci znovu odešli smilnit za baaly a přijali Baal-berita za svého boha. 34Synové Izraele nepamatovali na Hospodina, svého Boha, který je vysvobozoval z rukou všech jejich okolních nepřátel. 35Neprojevili ani oddanost domu Jerub-baala Gedeona, přes všechno dobrodiní, které Izraeli prokázal.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 THE EPHRAIMITES OFFENDED, BUT PACIFIED. (
Judg 8:1-
Judg 8:9)
the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus?--Where this complaint was made, whether before or after the crossing of the Jordan, cannot be determined. By the overthrow of the national enemy, the Ephraimites were benefited as largely as any of the other neighboring tribes. But, piqued at not having been sharers in the glory of the victory, their leading men could not repress their wounded pride; and the occasion only served to bring out an old and deep-seated feeling of jealous rivalry that subsisted between the tribes (
Isa 9:21). The discontent was groundless, for Gideon acted according to divine directions. Besides, as their tribe was conterminous with that of Gideon, they might, had they been really fired with the flame of patriotic zeal, have volunteered their services in a movement against the common enemy.
2 he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you?--His mild and truly modest answer breathes the spirit of a great as well as good man, who was calm, collected, and self-possessed in the midst of most exciting scenes. It succeeded in throwing oil on the troubled waters (
Pro 16:1), and no wonder, for in the height of generous self-denial, it ascribes to his querulous brethren a greater share of merit and glory than belonged to himself (
1Cor 13:4;
Phil 2:3).
4 Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over--much exhausted, but eager to continue the pursuit till the victory was consummated.
5 he said unto the men of Succoth--that is, a place of tents or booths. The name seems to have been applied to the whole part of the Jordan valley on the west, as well as on the east side of the river, all belonging to the tribe of Gad (compare
Gen 33:17;
1Kgs 7:46; with
Josh 13:27). Being engaged in the common cause of all Israel, he had a right to expect support and encouragement from his countrymen everywhere.
6 the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand--an insolent as well as a time-serving reply. It was insolent because it implied a bitter taunt that Gideon was counting with confidence on a victory which they believed he would not gain; and it was time-serving, because living in the near neighborhood of the Midianite sheiks, they dreaded the future vengeance of those roving chiefs. This contumelious manner of acting was heartless and disgraceful in people who were of Israelitish blood.
7 I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers--a cruel torture, to which captives were often subjected in ancient times, by having thorns and briers placed on their naked bodies and pressed down by sledges, or heavy implements of husbandry being dragged over them.
8 he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise--a neighboring city, situated also in the territory of Gad, near the Jabbok, and honored with this name by Jacob (
Gen 32:30-
Gen 32:31).
9 he spake . . ., When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower--Intent on the pursuit, and afraid of losing time, he postponed the merited vengeance till his return. His confident anticipation of a triumphant return evinces the strength of his faith; and his specific threat was probably provoked by some proud and presumptuous boast, that in their lofty watchtower the Penuelites would set him at defiance.
10 ZEBAH AND ZALMUNNA TAKEN. (Jdg. 8:10-27)
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor--a town on the eastern confines of Gad. The wreck of the Midianite army halted there.
11 Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east--He tracked the fugitives across the mountain range of Gilead to the northeast of the Jabbok, and there came upon them unexpectedly while they were resting secure among their own nomadic tribes. Jogbehah is supposed to be Ramoth-gilead; and, therefore, the Midianites must have found refuge at or near Abela, "Abel-cheramim," "the plain of the vineyards."
12 when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them--A third conflict took place. His arrival at their last quarters, which was by an unwonted path, took the fugitives by surprise, and the conquest of the Midianite horde was there completed.
13 Gideon returned from battle before the sun was up--He seems to have returned by a nearer route to Succoth, for what is rendered in our version "before the sun was up," means "the heights of Heres, the sun-hills."
14 he described--wrote the names of the seventy princes or elders. It was from them he had received so inhospitable a treatment.
16 he took . . . the thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth--By refusing his soldiers refreshment, they had committed a public crime, as well as an act of inhumanity, and were subjected to a horrible punishment, which the great abundance and remarkable size of the thorn bushes, together with the thinness of clothing in the East, has probably suggested.
18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor?--This was one of the countless atrocities which the Midianite chiefs had perpetrated during their seven years' lawless occupancy. It is noticed now for the first time when their fate was about to be determined.
each one resembled the children of a king--An Orientalism for great beauty, majesty of appearance, uncommon strength, and grandeur of form.
19 They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother--That is, uterine brothers; but, in all countries where polygamy prevails, "the son of my mother" implies a closeness of relationship and a warmth of affection never awakened by the looser term, "brother."
20 he said unto Jether his first-born, Up, and slay them--The nearest of kin was the blood-avenger; but a magistrate might order any one to do the work of the executioner; and the person selected was always of a rank equal or proportioned to that of the party doomed to suffer (
1Kgs 2:29). Gideon intended, then, by the order to Jether, to put an honor on his son, by employing him to slay two enemies of his country; and on the youth declining, he performed the bloody deed himself.
22 the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us . . . Gideon said unto them, the Lord shall rule over you--Their unbounded admiration and gratitude prompted them, in the enthusiasm of the moment, to raise their deliverer to a throne, and to establish a royal dynasty in his house. But Gideon knew too well, and revered too piously the principles of the theocracy, to entertain the proposal for a moment. Personal and family ambition was cheerfully sacrificed to a sense of duty, and every worldly motive was kept in check by a supreme regard to the divine honor. He would willingly act as judge, but the Lord alone was King of Israel.
24 Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you--This was the contribution of an earring (singular). As the ancient Arabians (Ishmaelites and Midianites being synonymous terms,
Gen 37:25,
Gen 37:28) were gorgeously adorned with barbaric pearl and gold, an immense amount of such valuable booty had fallen into the hands of the Israelitish soldiers. The contribution was liberally made, and the quantity of gold given to him is estimated at Ł3113 sterling.
26 ornaments--crescent-like plates of gold suspended from the necks, or placed on the breasts of the camels.
collars--rather, "earrings," or drops of gold or pearl.
purple--a royal color. The ancient, as well as modern Arabs, adorned the necks, breasts, and legs, of their riding animals with sumptuous housing.
27 Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, . . . Ophrah--That no idolatrous use was in view, nor any divisive course from Shiloh contemplated, is manifest from
Judg 8:33. Gideon proposed, with the gold he received, to make an ephod for his use only as a civil magistrate or ruler, as David did (
1Chr 15:27), and a magnificent pectoral or breastplate also. It would seem, from the history, that he was not blamable in making this ephod, as a civil robe or ornament merely, but that it afterward became an object to which religious ideas were attached; whereby it proved a snare, and consequently an evil, by perversion, to Gideon and his house [TAYLOR, Fragments].
28 MIDIAN SUBDUED. (
Judg 8:28)
Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel--This invasion of the Arab hordes into Canaan was as alarming and desolating as the irruption of the Huns into Europe. It was the severest scourge ever inflicted upon Israel; and both it and the deliverance under Gideon lived for centuries in the minds of the people (
Ps 83:11).
