Judges 6:12-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 6:11-24

It is not said what effect the prophet's sermon had upon the people, but we may hope it had a good effect, and that some of them at least repented and reformed upon it; for here, immediately after, we have the dawning of the day of their deliverance, by the effectual calling of Gideon to take upon him the command of their forces against the Midianites. I. The person to be commissioned for this service was Gideon, the son of Joash, Jdg. 5:14. The father was now living, but he was passed by, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:12

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him ,.... He stayed some time under the oak, and Gideon being busy in threshing, took no notice of him wherefore he came and stood before him, in his sight: and said unto him, the Lord is with thee ; the gracious presence of God was with Gideon while he was threshing, who very probably was sending up ejaculations to heaven, on account of the distressed case of Israel, and was deep in meditation about the affairs of the people of God, and contriving... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:13

And Gideon said to him, oh my Lord ,.... Taking him not to be an angel, but some illustrious and eminent person: if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us ? all these troubles and calamities through the oppression of the Midianites; for he understood what was said to him in the salutation, respecting not himself personally and privately, but the people of Israel; and he could not tell how to reconcile the Lord's being with them, and yet suffering such sad things to befall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:14

And the Lord looked upon him ,.... The same before called the angel of the Lord, and who was no other than Jehovah himself; who looked upon him with great earnestness, and with great delight and pleasure smiled upon him, and thereby showing he had a kindness for him, and meant well to him: and said unto him, go in this thy might ; both of body and mind, which had been before given unto him, and was now increased, and which no doubt Gideon was sensible of: and thou shalt save Israel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:15

And he said unto him, oh my Lord ,.... Whether he had yet suspected who he was, or took him still for some eminent person, is not certain; it is very probable he began to think he was some extraordinary person sent of God, and speaking in his name, and therefore expostulates with him about the work he put him upon: wherewith shall I save Israel ? in what way is it possible for me to do it, who had neither men nor money sufficient for such an undertaking? behold, my family is poor in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:12

The Lord is with thee - "The Word of the Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." - Targum. It appears that Gideon had proved himself, on former occasions, to be a man of courage and personal prowess; and this would naturally excite the confidence of his countrymen. God chooses for his work those instruments which, in the course of his operations in nature and providence, he has qualified for his purpose. The instruments thus chosen are generally unlikely, but they will be ever... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:13

And Gideon said unto him - This speech is remarkable for its energy and simplicity; it shows indeed a measure of despondency, but not more than the circumstances of the case justified. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:14

Go in this thy might - What does the angel mean? He had just stated that Jehovah was with him; and he now says, Go in This thy might, i.e., in the might of Jehovah, who is with thee. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:15

Wherewith shall I save Israel ? - I have neither men nor money. Behold , my family is poor in Manasseh - הדל אלפי הנה , Behold, my thousand is impoverished. Tribes were anciently divided into tens, and fifties, and hundreds, and thousands; the thousands therefore marked grand divisions, and consequently numerous families; Gideon here intimates that the families of which he made a part were very much diminished. But if we take אלפי alpey for the contracted form... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:12

Thou mighty man of valor - Known to God to be such, though as yet not known to be such either by himself or his countrymen (compare Luke 1:28, Luke 1:30). read more

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