Judges 7:5-22 KJV

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

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

John Gill

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

And the Lord said unto Gideon, by the three hundred men that lapped I will save and deliver the Midianites into thine hand ,.... It is hard to say what character this action of the three hundred is expressive of, whether of weakness or of courage. Some think that those who drank upon their knees were faint and weary, and men of intemperance, and indulged themselves, and were unfit for war, while those that only lapped a little water to refresh themselves appeared to be eager, and in haste... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:8

So the people took victuals in their hands and their trumpets ,.... That is, the three hundred took victuals of those that departed, as much as was necessary for them, and also their trumpets, being directed thereunto by Gideon, no doubt; perhaps they took all the trumpets they had; however, as many as would furnish every man with one. And from hence it appears, that these three hundred that were ordered to stay and go with Gideon were unarmed men, at least could carry no arms in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:9

And it came to pass the same night that the Lord said to him ,.... The night after there had been so great a reduction of his army, from 32,000 to three hundred: arise, get thee down unto the host, for I have delivered it into thine hands ; that is, go down from the hill where he and his little army were, to the valley of Jezreel, where lay the numerous host of Midian; assuring him, that though the disproportion was so very great, the army of Midian should be delivered into his hands;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:10

But if thou fear to go down ,.... With his little army, to attack a numerous host in the night, then he is directed to take this step first: go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host ; in a private manner; perhaps this man was his aid-de-camp, or however a trusty servant in whom he could confide, as well as valiant: more it was not proper to take in such a secret expedition, and the fewer the better to trust, and less liable to the observation of the enemy; and yet it was proper... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:11

And thou shalt hear what they shall say ,.... The Midianites, or what shall be said by any of them; for though it was the night season, and so not a time for much conversation, as it may be supposed to be the dead of the night; yet something would be said and heard, which is a clear proof of the prescience of God respecting future contingent events: and afterwards shall thine hands be strengthened ; and his heart encouraged by what he should hear: to go down into the camp ; in an... read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 7:11

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