Albert Barnes Commentary Judges 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Judges 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Judges 8
"And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with Midian? And they did chide with him sharply." — Judges 8:1 (ASV)
The success of Gideon’s enterprise mortified the pride of Ephraim, as the chief tribe, seeing that they had played a subordinate part. .
"And he said unto them, What have I now done in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?" — Judges 8:2 (ASV)
A civil war with the great tribe of Ephraim would soon have turned Israel’s victory into mourning. Gideon therefore soothes their wounded pride by confessing that Ephraim had done more, though they had joined him so late in the day, than he had been able to accomplish in the whole campaign. The grape-gleaning of Ephraim was better than the whole vintage of Abi-ezer.
"And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they are faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian." — Judges 8:5 (ASV)
Succoth was in the tribe of Gad, which was entirely trans-Jordanic (Joshua 13:27); and the ruins are at Sukkot, on the east of Jordan, a little south of Bethshan.
Give, I pray you, etc. – Gideon might fairly expect so much aid from the trans-Jordanic tribes, and from so considerable a town as Succoth (Judges 8:14).
"And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?" — Judges 8:6 (ASV)
The number of the followers of Zebah and Zalmunna was still so formidable, and Gideon’s enterprise still so doubtful, that the men of Succoth (being on the same side of the Jordan) would not risk the vengeance of the Midianites by giving supplies to Gideon’s men.
"And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them in like manner; and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered." — Judges 8:8 (ASV)
Succoth was in the valley or Ghor of the Jordan (Judges 8:5), and Penuel apparently in the mountain. No identification of Penuel has taken place. It was south of the Brook Jabbok, and on Jacob’s way to Succoth. Gideon, journeying in the opposite direction to Jacob, comes from Succoth to Penuel.
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