Judges 8:5

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:4-12

4-12 Gideon's men were faint, yet pursuing; fatigued with what they had done, yet eager to do more against their enemies. It is many a time the true Christian's case, fainting, and yet pursuing. The world knows but little of the persevering and successful struggle the real believer maintains with his sinful heart. But he betakes himself to that Divine strength, in the faith of which he began his conflict, and by the supply of which alone he can finish it in triumph. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Judges 8:1-9

Difficulties with Ephraim and the Cities Succoth and Penuel v. 1. And the men of Ephraim, who had not been included in the order to mobilize their forces, Judges 6:35, said unto him, Gideon, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? They demanded an explanation for having been slighted by Gideon, as they supposed. And they did chide with him sharply, attacked him in a vehement quarrel. v. 2. And he said unto them, What have I... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Judges 8:4-21

Succoth and Penuel refuse supplies to Gideon while in pursuit of the Midianitish kings. The kings surprised and captured. The punishment of the traitorous cities and the captured kingsJudges 8:4-21.4And Gideon came to [the] Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint [hungry], yet pursuing them [omit: them]. 5And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me: for they be faint [hungry], and I am pursuing... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Judges 8:1-12

a Soft Answer Turneth Away Wrath Judges 7:24-25 ; Judges 8:1-12 The fleeing host made for the three fords of the Jordan, and with all haste Gideon summoned the tribes to anticipate them. The way of the victor was not without its drawbacks and discouragements. Ephraim was wroth; Succoth and Penuel were contemptuous; his own men were faint, though pursuing. But the faith that had won the great victory never wavered. Gideon “endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” From the eternal source of... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:1-35

Following the deliverance from the oppression of Midian, Gideon had to deal with internal troubles. The people of Ephraim objected that he had not called them to his help. The men of Succoth and Penuel had refused help in an hour of crisis. Gideon's method with Ephraim was conciliatory and that with the men of Succoth and Penuel was severe. The last things we read about Gideon are full of interest: one is characterized by great nobility, the other is a revelation of weakness which issued in... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:5

‘And he said to the men of Succoth, “Give, I pray you, loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are faint and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” ’ Succoth was in the region of Gad in the Jordan rift valley not far from Zarethan (1 Kings 7:46). It is probably Tell Deir ‘Alla which was a sanctuary surrounded by dwellings and stores. It flourished during the late Bronze Age and its sanctuary was finally destroyed in the first decades of 12th century BC as... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 8:4-21

Judges 8:4-Ecclesiastes : . The Pursuit on the East of Jordan.— This section is not continuous with the preceding one. The men of Israel, who were gathered together after the battle ( Judges 7:23), and the Ephraimites, who were so eager to prove what they could do, are heard of no more. Gideon is again alone with his 300 ( Judges 8:4); the men of Succoth and Penuel, ignorant of any battle or rout, think his campaign against the Midianites a hopeless affair; and when he at length reaches the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 8:5

Succoth; a place beyond Jordan, Genesis 33:17; Joshua 13:27; Psalms 60:6. Kings of Midian; where before this time were five kings at once, Numbers 31:8, who either reigned separately in divers parts of the land, or governed by common counsel and consent, as sometimes there were two or three Roman emperors together. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Judges 8:1-17

THE COMPLETION OF THE LORD’S DELIVERANCE OF HIS PEOPLE. Judges 8:1-17CRITICAL NOTES.—Judges 8:1. And the men of Ephraim said, etc.] i.e.—after Gideon had reached the trans-Jordanic side of the river, and when the heads of Oreb and Zeeb were brought to him. It may either have been while he was still pursuing the flying foe, or after he had returned from that pursuit; more probably the former. Though the Ephraimites and the Manassites were the descendants of two brothers, and might have been... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Judges 8:1-35

Judges 6-8 In the first words of Gideon we find the key to his character. (1) He was a man who felt deeply the degradation of his people. He could not enjoy his own harvest while the Midianites were robbing all around; he had the patriot's wide sympathy. (2) He was a man also of the strongest common sense, accustomed to look through words to things, and to look the facts of life fair in the face. (3) He was a man of abundant personal valour, but yet unwilling to move a step until he was sure... read more

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