Judges 8:1-9 ▼

1 The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done this to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites? ” And they argued with him violently.

2 So he said to them, “What have I done now compared to you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?

3 God handed over to you Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian. What was I able to do compared to you? ” When he said this, their anger against him subsided.

4 Gideon and the three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it. They were exhausted but still in pursuit.

5 He said to the men of Succoth, “Please give some loaves of bread to the troops under my command, because they are exhausted, for I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

6 But the princes of Succoth asked, “Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hands that we should give bread to your army? ”

7 Gideon replied, “Very well, when the LORD has handed Zebah and Zalmunna over to me, I will tear your flesh with thorns and briers from the wilderness! ”

8 He went from there to Penuel and asked the same thing from them. The men of Penuel answered just as the men of Succoth had answered.

9 He also told the men of Penuel, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower! ”