Gideon Pursues Midian Kings

Judges 8:1-21 (KJV)

Gideon and his three hundred men pursued Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian. Gideon stopped in Succoth and Penuel along the way to ask for bread for his weary men, but the people would not give them any. Gideon had even explained his mission. "And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army" (v. 6)? "...[A]nd the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him" (v. 8). Gideon told the men of Succoth, "Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine a hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers" (v. 7). He told the men of Penuel, "When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower" (v. 9).

"Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure. And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host" (vs. 10-12).

After the battle, Gideon returned to Succoth and Penuel. "And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city" (vs. 16,17).

Gideon moved on to question his captives, Zebah and Zalmunna, to discover that the Midian kings had slain members of his family. Gideon said, "They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks" (vs. 19-21).