Read through the whole chapter to maintain the context, but we'll pick up from verse 10. Read through the chapter, use various translations, and make notes, and jot down questions. Once you have that, then look over whatever commentaries you have (remember that the Blue Letter Bible website has several you can use). Revise your notes and questions, then go back through with the questions below (they pick up at verse 10):
- The term used for the troops in the enemy camp are "Sons of the East" as opposed to Midian. Yet they are clearly led by the Midianite kings. What do you think that means for the term "Sons of the East" in this context?
- Gideon ascends along the path of "ones dwelling in tents", which is a literal translation of the text. Since the enemies he pursues actually do live in tents, it's probably safe to assume it's the route they took. Why do you think Gideon was able to approach them the say way they came, but they still felt "secure"?
- There was 15,000 men left from the 120,000 in the original camp in Jezreel. Still, Gideon only has 300 very tired men. What do you think of Gideon's faith at this point? How has it progressed from laying out fleeces?
- Gideon captures the kings, and the rest of the camp flees or routs. Since there are no numbers given as to the fallen, it may not have been much of a fight, more of a surprise and scare off sort of encounter. Gideon still ends up with the kings in his possession. Why do you think God would let these raiders escape though?
- Gideon returns from the battle with his troops, and punishes Succuth just as he said he would. What do you think is significant about the briars and thorns of the desert?
- But when he gets to Penuel, he tears down the tower, like he said, but also kills the men of the city, which he didn't mention. Why do you think killing off the men of the city was warranted? He didn't do the same to Succoth, so why here?
- Gideon questions the two kings about a battle at Tabor. Mount Tabor is on the north side of the Valley of Jezreel, and Gideon was on the south side. What battle do you think he was referring to?
- The kings refer to the "men they killed" as like Gideon, "as the form of sons of kings". Why do you think they phrase their descriptions this way?
- Gideon claims they were his actual brothers. Why do you think his brothers would be on Mount Tabor at some point in this battle?
- The terminology used for the killing of his brothers implies that they were not killed in battle, but executed. Why do you think that would be?
- Gideon tells his first born to slay the kings, but he won't. Think through the battles so far, and the fact that Gideon only has the 300. What do you think it means that his young son won't execute these men, after having been in such battles?
- The kings tell Gideon to do it, making a strange saying, "for as a man, his strength". Gideon then "fell upon them". This doesn't sound like a simple "strike" or "kill", although it's not certain it wasn't just a literary device to avoid repetition. How do you think Gideon slew the kings?
- Zebah and Zalmunna are always mentioned together, even when speaking. Why do you think that might be?
- After the battle is complete, the people of Israel ask Gideon to be their king, and establish a dynasty. Gideon refuses, saying Yahweh is their king. Why do you think he said that? Where do you think he learned that?
- Gideon asks for a share of the plunder from them, and they gladly give it. It totaled out to 1,700 in gold weight (whatever that is). But they also give purple cloaks and camel pendants. Gideon makes an ephod from the gold. Look up "ephod" on the Blue Letter Bible site. The ISBE includes a reference to this passage, so look at that one too. What do you think Gideon made with the gold?
- Look at verse 27 in several different translations. What do you think Israel did with the ephod, and why do you think the writer used this term?
- There was peace all the days of Gideon, even though he and people had the problem with the ephod. Why do you think God left them in peace if the ephod was a problem?
- Consider that Gideon's father had the altar of Baal for the whole community on his property (see 6:25), now Gideon's gold ephod is worshiped. Why do you think the Gideon's family gets wrapped up in this sort of thing? They seems faithful (see 6:31), yet have these idols/altars in their possession. Why do you think that might be?
- Gideon has seventy (70) sons. What the...seriously? Anyway, he also has a son by a concubine in Schechem. Numerous wives, and a concubine in Schechem. What would we call some guy like this today? So, what other sorts of problems might Gideon have besides idol-worship? Why do you think he had so many wives?
- Gideon dies at a "ripe old age", and is laid in the tomb of his father. Good things references to positive life lived. And clearly God blesses him. But why do you think God would bless him if he's so consumed by idols and wives?
- As soon as Gideon dies, the people go back to the Baals (plural). It's possible, though not certain, that this may be like Elohim, in that it's a plural reference to to a singular deity. Which would mean, that, in the minds of Israel at least, they are worshiping the same God. How do you see this mistake being made today, where a reference is close, but the actual practice is wrong, making the object of worship completely off?
- Israel does not remember God but also neglects to show kindness to Gideon's family. Why do you think that would happen? How do you think such heroes are renounced? Consider that the writer of Judges has the story, so it's passed down over time for him to include in Judges. It wasn't forgotten, but the people of the day simply did not show them kindness. Why do you think that would be?
