Abimelech’s mother was not reckoned among the wives, being, probably, one of the Canaanite population in Shechem Judges 9:28 : neither was Abimelech himself reckoned with the 70 other sons of Jerubbaal (Judges 9:24. Compare Judges 11:1-2). read more
Turned again - Doubtless Gideon himself had no doubt prepared the way for this apostacy by his unauthorized ephod. The Law of Moses, with its strict unity of priesthood and altar, was the divinely-appointed and only effectual preservative from idolatry.Baal-bereth - The god of covenants or sworn treaties, corresponding to the Zeus Orkius of the Greeks. The center of this fresh apostacy was at Shechem. read more
Judges 8:22. Rule thou over us Not as a judge, for as such he already ruled over them, but as a king; both thou and thy son, &c. Let the kingdom be hereditary to thee and to thy family. For thou hast delivered us This miraculous and extraordinary deliverance by thy hands deserves no less from us. read more
Judges 8:23. I will not rule over you As a king. He rejected their offer, because he looked upon God as their king, who appointed what deputy he pleased to govern them; and because he considered this proposal as an effort, or at least as tending to alter that form of government which God had instituted and had given them no authority to change. The Lord shall rule over you In a special manner, as he hath hitherto done by judges. These God particularly appointed and directed in all the... read more
Judges 8:24. Because they were Ishmaelites A mixture of people all called by one general name, Ishmaelites or Arabians, who used to wear ear-rings; but the greatest and the ruling part of them were Midianites. read more
Judges 8:27 . Gideon made an ephod thereof Not of all of it; for then it would have been too heavy for use; but of part of it, the rest being probably employed about other things appertaining to it; which elsewhere are comprehended under the name of the ephod, as Judges 17:5. Put it in his city Not as a monument of the victory, for such monuments were neither proper nor usual; but for religious use, for which alone the ephod was appointed. The case seems to be this: Gideon having by God’s... read more
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
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
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 8:27
The ephod was that particular part of the high priest’s dress which was necessary to be worst when he inquired of God by Urim and Thummim. It seems that Gideon being now the civil ruler, desired to have an ephod of his own, kept in his own city, to he worn by the priest whenever Gideon might summon him to inquire of the Lord for him. His relations with the tribe of Ephraim probably made him unwilling to resort to Shiloh. Compare the act of Jeroboam 1 Kings 12:28. read more