Judges 7

• 1. So Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and his army got up early and went as far as the spring of Harod. The armies of Midian were camped north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh.
• 2. The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.
• 3. Therefore, tell the people, `Whoever is timid or afraid may leave and go home.'" Twenty-two thousand of them went home, leaving only ten thousand who were willing to fight.
• 4. But the LORD told Gideon, "There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will sort out who will go with you and who will not."
• 5. When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the LORD told him, "Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream."
• 6. Only three hundred of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream.
• 7. The LORD told Gideon, "With these three hundred men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home."
• 8. So Gideon collected the provisions and rams' horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the three hundred men with him. Now the Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon.
• 9. During the night, the LORD said, "Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them!
• 10. But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah.
• 11. Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack." So Gideon took Purah and went down to the outposts of the enemy camp.
• 12. The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore--too many to count!
• 13. Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his friend about a dream. The man said, "I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!"
• 14. His friend said, "Your dream can mean only one thing--God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over all the armies united with Midian!"
• 15. When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he thanked God. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, "Get up! For the LORD has given you victory over the Midianites!"
• 16. He divided the three hundred men into three groups and gave each man a ram's horn and a clay jar with a torch in it.
• 17. Then he said to them, "Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do.
• 18. As soon as my group blows the rams' horns, those of you on the other sides of the camp blow your horns and shout, `For the LORD and for Gideon!'"
• 19. It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the one hundred men with him reached the outer edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the horns and broke their clay jars.
• 20. Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands and shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"
• 21. Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran.
• 22. When the three hundred Israelites blew their horns, the LORD caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.
• 23. Then Gideon sent for the warriors of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, who joined in the chase after the fleeing army of Midian.
• 24. Gideon also sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down to attack the Midianites. Cut them off at the shallows of the Jordan River at Beth-barah." And the men of Ephraim did as they were told.
• 25. They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite generals, killing Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. And they continued to chase the Midianites. Afterward the Israelites brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

Judges 8

• 1. Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, "Why have you treated us this way? Why didn't you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?" And they argued heatedly with Gideon.
• 2. But Gideon replied, "What have I done compared to you? Aren't the last grapes of Ephraim's harvest better than the entire crop of my little clan of Abiezer?
• 3. God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the generals of the Midianite army. What have I done compared to that?" When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon's answer, they were no longer angry.
• 4. Gideon then crossed the Jordan River with his three hundred men, and though they were exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy.
• 5. When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, "Will you please give my warriors some food? They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian."
• 6. But the leaders of Succoth replied, "You haven't caught Zebah and Zalmunna yet. Catch them first, and then we will feed your warriors."
• 7. So Gideon said, "After the LORD gives me victory over Zebah and Zalmunna, I will return and tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness."
• 8. From there Gideon went up to Peniel and asked for food, but he got the same answer.
• 9. So he said to the people of Peniel, "After I return in victory, I will tear down this tower."
• 10. By this time Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with a remnant of 15,000 warriors--all that remained of the allied armies of the east--for 120,000 had already been killed.
• 11. Gideon circled around by the caravan route east of Nobah and Jogbehah, taking the Midianite army by surprise.
• 12. Zebah and Zalmunna, the two Midianite kings, fled, but Gideon chased them down and captured all their warriors.
• 13. After this, Gideon returned by way of Heres Pass.
• 14. There he captured a young man from Succoth and demanded that he write down the names of all the seventy-seven rulers and leaders in the town.
• 15. Gideon then returned to Succoth and said to the leaders, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. When we were here before, you taunted me, saying, `You haven't caught Zebah and Zalmunna yet. Catch them first, and then we will feed your exhausted warriors.'"
• 16. Then Gideon took the leaders of the town and taught them a lesson, punishing them with thorns and briers from the wilderness.
• 17. He also knocked down the tower of Peniel and killed all the men in the town.
• 18. Then Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, "The men you killed at Tabor--what were they like?Like you," they replied. "They all had the look of a king's son."
• 19. "They were my brothers!" Gideon exclaimed. "As surely as the LORD lives, I wouldn't kill you if you hadn't killed them."
• 20. Turning to Jether, his oldest son, he said, "Kill them!" But Jether did not draw his sword, for he was only a boy and was afraid.
• 21. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon, "Don't ask a boy to do a man's job! Do it yourself!" So Gideon killed them both and took the royal ornaments from the necks of their camels.
• 22. Then the Israelites said to Gideon, "Be our ruler! You and your son and your grandson will be our rulers, for you have rescued us from Midian."
• 23. But Gideon replied, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD will rule over you!
• 24. However, I have one request. Each of you can give me an earring out of the treasures you collected from your fallen enemies." (The enemies, being Ishmaelites, all wore gold earrings.)
• 25. "Gladly!" they replied. They spread out a cloak, and each one threw in a gold earring he had gathered.
• 26. The weight of the gold earrings was forty-three pounds, not including the crescents and pendants, the royal clothing of the kings, or the chains around the necks of their camels.
• 27. Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.
• 28. That is the story of how Israel subdued Midian, which never recovered. Throughout the rest of Gideon's lifetime--about forty years--the land was at peace.
• 29. Then Gideon son of Joash returned home.
• 30. He had seventy sons, for he had many wives.
• 31. He also had a concubine in Shechem, who bore him a son named Abimelech.
• 32. Gideon died when he was very old, and he was buried in the grave of his father, Joash, at Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer.
• 33. As soon as Gideon was dead, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god.
• 34. They forgot the LORD their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them.
• 35. Nor did they show any loyalty to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon), despite all the good he had done for Israel.

Judges 9

• 1. One day Gideon's son Abimelech went to Shechem to visit his mother's brothers. He said to them and to the rest of his mother's family,
• 2. "Ask the people of Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all seventy of Gideon's sons or by one man. And remember, I am your own flesh and blood!"
• 3. So Abimelech's uncles spoke to all the people of Shechem on his behalf. And after listening to their proposal, they decided in favor of Abimelech because he was their relative.
• 4. They gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-berith, which he used to hire some soldiers who agreed to follow him.
• 5. He took the soldiers to his father's home at Ophrah, and there, on one stone, they killed all seventy of his half brothers. But the youngest brother, Jotham, escaped and hid.
• 6. Then the people of Shechem and Beth-millo called a meeting under the oak beside the pillar at Shechem and made Abimelech their king.
• 7. When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted, "Listen to me, people of Shechem! Listen to me if you want God to listen to you!
• 8. Once upon a time the trees decided to elect a king. First they said to the olive tree, `Be our king!'
• 9. But it refused, saying, `Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?'
• 10. "Then they said to the fig tree, `You be our king!'
• 11. But the fig tree also refused, saying, `Should I quit producing my sweet fruit just to wave back and forth over the trees?'
• 12. "Then they said to the grapevine, `You be our king!'
• 13. But the grapevine replied, `Should I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?'
• 14. "Then all the trees finally turned to the thornbush and said, `Come, you be our king!'
• 15. And the thornbush replied, `If you truly want to make me your king, come and take shelter in my shade. If not, let fire come out from me and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'
• 16. "Now make sure you have acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelech your king, and that you have done right by Gideon and all of his descendants. Have you treated my father with the honor he deserves?
• 17. For he fought for you and risked his life when he rescued you from the Midianites.
• 18. But now you have revolted against my father and his descendants, killing his seventy sons on one stone. And you have chosen his slave woman's son, Abimelech, to be your king just because he is your relative.
• 19. If you have acted honorably and in good faith toward Gideon and his descendants, then may you find joy in Abimelech, and may he find joy in you.
• 20. But if you have not acted in good faith, then may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the people of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out from the people of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech!"
• 21. Then Jotham escaped and lived in Beer because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.
• 22. After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years,
• 23. God stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the people of Shechem, and they revolted.
• 24. In the events that followed, God punished Abimelech and the men of Shechem for murdering Gideon's seventy sons.
• 25. The people of Shechem set an ambush for Abimelech on the hilltops and robbed everyone who passed that way. But someone warned Abimelech about their plot.
• 26. At that time Gaal son of Ebed moved to Shechem with his brothers and gained the confidence of the people of Shechem.
• 27. During the annual harvest festival at Shechem, held in the temple of the local god, the wine flowed freely, and everyone began cursing Abimelech.
• 28. "Who is Abimelech?" Gaal shouted. "He's not a true descendant of Shechem! Why should we be Abimelech's servants? He's merely the son of Gideon, and Zebul is his administrator. Serve the men of Hamor, who are Shechem's true descendants. Why should we serve Abimelech?
• 29. If I were in charge, I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say to him, `Get some more soldiers, and come out and fight!'"
• 30. But when Zebul, the leader of the city, heard what Gaal was saying, he was furious.
• 31. He sent messengers to Abimelech in Arumah, telling him, "Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to live in Shechem, and now they are inciting the city to rebel against you.
• 32. Come by night with an army and hide out in the fields.
• 33. In the morning, as soon as it is daylight, storm the city. When Gaal and those who are with him come out against you, you can do with them as you wish."
• 34. So Abimelech and his men went by night and split into four groups, stationing themselves around Shechem.
• 35. Gaal was standing at the city gates when Abimelech and his army came out of hiding.
• 36. When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, "Look, there are people coming down from the hilltops!" Zebul replied, "It's just the shadows of the hills that look like men."
• 37. But again Gaal said, "No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners' Oak. "
• 38. Then Zebul turned on him triumphantly. "Now where is that big mouth of yours?" he demanded. "Wasn't it you that said, `Who is Abimelech, and why should we be his servants?' The men you mocked are right outside the city! Go out and fight them!"
• 39. Gaal then led the men of Shechem into battle against Abimelech,
• 40. but he was defeated and ran away. Many of Shechem's warriors were killed, and the ground was covered with dead bodies all the way to the city gate.
• 41. Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.
• 42. The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields to battle. When Abimelech heard about it,
• 43. he divided his men into three groups and set an ambush in the fields. When Abimelech saw the people coming out of the city, he and his men jumped up from their hiding places and attacked them.
• 44. Abimelech and his group stormed the city gate to keep the men of Shechem from getting back in, while Abimelech's other two groups cut them down in the fields.
• 45. The battle went on all day before Abimelech finally captured the city. He killed the people, leveled the city, and scattered salt all over the ground.
• 46. When the people who lived in the tower of Shechem heard what had happened, they took refuge within the walls of the temple of Baal-berith.
• 47. Someone reported to Abimelech that the people were gathered together in the temple,
• 48. so he led his forces to Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and chopped some branches from a tree, and he put them on his shoulder. "Quick, do as I have done!" he told his men.
• 49. So each of them cut down some branches, following Abimelech's example. They piled the branches against the walls of the temple and set them on fire. So all the people who had lived in the tower of Shechem died, about a thousand men and women.
• 50. Then Abimelech attacked the city of Thebez and captured it.
• 51. But there was a strong tower inside the city, and the entire population fled to it. They barricaded themselves in and climbed up to the roof of the tower.
• 52. Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance,
• 53. a woman on the roof threw down a millstone that landed on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull.
• 54. He said to his young armor bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me! Don't let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!" So the young man stabbed him with his sword, and he died.
• 55. When Abimelech's men saw that he was dead, they disbanded and returned to their homes.
• 56. Thus, God punished Abimelech for the evil he had done against his father by murdering his seventy brothers.
• 57. God also punished the men of Shechem for all their evil. So the curse of Jotham son of Gideon came true.

New Living Translation: 75 of 324 days.