Judges 7:1-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 7:1-8

Here, I. Gideon applies himself with all possible care and industry to do the part of a good general, in leading on the hosts of Israel against the Midianites (Jdg. 7:1): He rose up early, as one whose heart was upon his business, and who was afraid of losing time. Now that he is sure God is with him he is impatient of delay. He pitched near a famous well, that his army might not be distressed for want of water, and gained the higher ground, which possibly might be some advantage to him, for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 7:9-15

Gideon's army being diminished as we have found it was, he must either fight by faith or not at all; God therefore here provides recruits for his faith, instead of recruits for his forces. I. He furnishes him with a good foundation to build his faith upon. Nothing but a word from God will be a footing for faith. He has this as full and express as he can desire, Jdg. 7:9. 1. A word of command to warrant the action, which otherwise seemed rash and indiscreet, and unbecoming a wise general:... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 7:16-22

Here is, I. The alarm which Gideon gave to the hosts of Midian in the dead time of the night; for it was intended that those who had so long been a terror to Israel, and had so often frightened them, should themselves be routed and ruined purely by terror. 1. The attack here made was, in many circumstances, like that which Abraham made upon the army that had taken Lot captive. The number of men was much the same: Abraham had 318, Gideon 300; they both divided their forces, both made their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 7:23-25

We have here the prosecution of this glorious victory. 1. Gideon's soldiers that had been dismissed, and perhaps had begun to disperse themselves, upon notice of the enemies? flight got together again, and vigorously pursued those whom they had not courage to face. The men of Israel out of Naphtali and Asher who did this (Jdg. 7:23) were not such as now came from those distant countries, but the same that had enlisted themselves (Jdg. 6:35), but had been cashiered. Those who were fearful and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:1

Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon ,.... That being the name his father had lately given him, Judges 6:32 . and all the people that were with him, rose up early ; encouraged by the signs and miracles wrought, by which he was assured of success; he was eager to be about his work, and therefore rose early in the morning, and got his army together, and marched to engage the enemy: and pitched beside the well of Harod ; which he might choose for the refreshment of his army on occasion; or,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:2

And the Lord said unto Gideon, the people that are with thee are too many ,.... It appears, by what follows, that there were 32,000 of them, which was but a small army to engage with one of 100,000 more than they; for such was the army of the Midianites and their associates, see Judges 8:10 but the people were too many, says the Lord: for me to give the Midianites into their hands ; who would be apt to ascribe the victory to themselves, and not to the Lord; to their number, strength,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:3

Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people ,.... Such a proclamation as follows, was, according to the law of God, to be made when Israel went out to battle against their enemies, Deuteronomy 20:8 ; though it looks as if Gideon would not have made such proclamation, had he not been directed to it by the Lord, his army being so small in comparison of the enemy; and perhaps Gideon might understand that law to have respect only to war made for the enlargement of their country,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:4

And the Lord said to Gideon, the people are yet too many ,.... Though they were but just the number that Barak had with him, when he attacked Sisera's army and got the victory, which yet was ascribed to God, whose hand was manifestly seen in it; but as these might be supposed to be able men of valour that remained, they were too many for God to have that glory he intended to display in this victory: bring them down unto the water ; from the hill on which they were, to a brook that ran at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:5

So he brought them down to the water ,.... His whole army of 10,000 men: and the Lord said unto Gideon, everyone that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shall thou set by himself ; this has led some, as particularly Grotius, to think of the Egyptian dogs; of whom Aelianus relates F2 Var. Hist. l. 1. c. 4. , that they do not drink at once freely, and to satiety, being afraid of the crocodiles in the river; but run about the bank, and by stealth snatch a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:6

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth ,.... That is, that took up water in the hollow of their hands, which they lifted up to their mouths, and so lapped it, as the Egyptians about the Nile are said F4 Achilles Tatius, l. 4. to do, who drank not out of pots and cups, but used their hands to drink with: were three hundred men ; only such a number out of 10,000: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water; even 9,700; and... read more

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