Matthew Henry Commentary Judges 8:13-17

"And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres. And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, seventy and seven men. And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary? And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. And he brake down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city." — Judges 8:13-17 (ASV)

The active servants of the Lord meet with more dangerous opposition from false professors than from open enemies; but they must not be troubled by the behavior of those who are Israelites in name but Midianites in heart. They must pursue the enemies of their souls and of the cause of God, though they are ready to faint through inward conflicts and outward hardships. And they shall be enabled to persevere. The less people help, and the more they seek to hinder, the more the Lord will assist. Gideon's warning being slighted, the punishment was just. Many are taught by the briers and thorns of affliction who would not learn otherwise.