Judges 8:1
INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 8
In this chapter we are told how Gideon pacified the Ephraimites, who complained because they were not sent unto to fight the Midianites, Jud 8:1 how he pursued the Midianites, until he took their two kings, and on his return chastised the men of Succoth and Penuel, because they refused to relieve his men with food as they were pursuing, Jud 8:4 how he slew the two kings of Midian, Jud 8:18 and after this conquest refused to take the government of Israel when offered him, Jud 8:22 how he requested of the Israelites the earrings they had taken from the Midianites, with which he in weakness made an ephod, which proved a snare to his house, Jud 8:24 how that the people were in peace forty years during his life, and that he had a numerous issue, and died in a good old age, Jud 8:28 but that after his death the Israelites fell into idolatry, and were ungrateful to his family, Jud 8:33.
Ver. 1. And the men of Ephraim said unto him,.... To Gideon, when they brought him the heads of Oreb and Zeeb; taking this to be a proper opportunity to expostulate and chide with him, when they had done so much service:
why hast thou served us thus; neglected them, overlooked them, which they took as a reproach to them, and as if he had bore them ill will:
that thou calledst us not when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? that he did not call them first, when he called other tribes, as Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, when they were as near or nearer, and more nearly allied, being both the descendants of Joseph; and were the tribe that Jacob had given the preference to; and being of proud spirits they envied the glory that Gideon, who was of the tribe of Manasseh, had got; and by which they were jealous he would advance that tribe above theirs:
and they did chide with him sharply; used rough words and ill language, and threw out many keen and biting expressions, which discovered great anger and wrath, envy and ill will.