Judges 8:29. Dwelt in his own house Not in his father’s house, as he did before; nor yet in a court like a king, as the people desired; but in a middle state, as a judge, for the preservation and maintenance of their religion and liberties. read more
Judges 8:31-32 . His concubine that was in Shechem She dwelt there, and he often went thither, either to execute judgment, or upon other occasions. Abimelech That is, my father the king; so he called him, probably to gratify his concubine, who desired it either out of pride, or design. Gideon died in a good old age His long life being crowned with the continuance of honour, tranquillity, and happiness. read more
Deliverance under Gideon (7:1-8:35)God allowed Gideon only three hundred men to launch the attack against the Midianites, so that Israel might know that victory was not by military power but by God’s power (7:1-8). A Midianite soldier’s dream showed that an unnatural fear had come upon the Midianites. When he dreamt that a poor man’s loaf of barley overthrew a rich man’s tent, he thought that poverty-stricken Israel would overthrow Midian’s army. The Midianites could, in fact, have wiped out... read more
earrings. Hebrew. Nezem, Any ring worn in ear or nose = a nose ring in Genesis 24:47 . Proverbs 11:22 .Isaiah 3:21 .Ezekiel 16:12 ; and "earring" in Genesis 35:4 and Exodus 32:2 . Other passages doubtful (Judges 8:25 .Job 42:11 .Proverbs 25:12 .Hosea 2:13; Hosea 2:13 ). because. This parenthetical remark solves the difficulty of Genesis 37:25 , Genesis 37:28 , Genesis 37:36 , and Genesis 39:1 . Ishmael and Midian were halfbrothers, sons of Abraham by Hagar and Keturah (Genesis 16:11 ,... read more
ephod. Probably the priests were lax in restoring the worship of the true God. So that Gideon would have meant well and desired to judge well. Compare Judges 17:5 , where Micah made another. The reason given being that "there was no king, and every man did what was right in his own eyes", Judges 17:6 ; and Judges 18:5 , where it was used to "ask counsel"; and for the same reason, Judges 18:1 . read more
children = sons. lifted up their heads no more = made no more attempts to vex. was in quietness. See note on Judges 3:11 . read more
GIDEON DECLINED THE KINGSHIP; BUT ASKED FOR GOLD (Judges 8:22-28)"And the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son; for thou hast saved us out of the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: Jehovah shall rule over you. And Gideon said unto them, I would make a request of you, that ye would give me every man the ear-rings of his spoil. (For they had golden ear-rings, because they... read more
GIDEON'S LONG LIFE; HIS DEATH AND BURIAL (Judges 8:29-32)"And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house. And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten; for he had many wives. And his concubine that was in Shechem, she bare him a son, and he called his name Abimelech. And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezerites."The importance of Joash the father of Gideon is evident in a... read more
Judges 8:22. Rule thou over us— The Israelites, forgetful of the peculiar government under which they were, wished to be ruled, like their neighbour-nations, by a king, and therefore entreat Gideon to assume the sceptre; but he, more wise than they, absolutely refuses them; and at the same time, in the most noble manner, reminds them that God was their king: The Lord will rule over you. read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 8:28
Judges 8:28. They lifted up their heads no more That is, they recovered not their former strength or courage, so as to conquer or oppress others. The country was in quietness forty years To the fortieth year from the beginning of the Midianitish oppression; in the days of Gideon As long as Gideon lived. read more