Gideon

For seven years, the Midianites devastate Israel, destroying crops and livestock. Israel is so impoverished that people hide in mountain caves. In their misery, they cry out to the Lord.

While threshing wheat in a winepress to hide from Midianites, Gideon is visited by the Angel of the Lord who calls him 'mighty warrior.' God commissions him to save Israel from Midian.

Gideon asks for a sign. When he offers meat and bread, the Angel touches them with his staff; fire flares from the rock and consumes the offering. The Angel vanishes, and Gideon realizes he has seen God.

That night, God commands Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. Fearing the townspeople, Gideon obeys at night. When discovered, his father defends him, earning him the name Jerub-Baal.

Before battle, Gideon asks God for confirmation through a fleece: first wet with dew while the ground is dry, then dry while the ground is wet. God graciously grants both signs despite Gideon's doubt.

Gideon gathers 32,000 men, but God says there are too many. After the fearful leave, 10,000 remain. At the water, God selects only the 300 who lap water from their hands, reducing the army to ensure God gets the glory.

God sends Gideon to the Midianite camp to be encouraged. He overhears a soldier tell a dream about a barley loaf tumbling into camp and destroying a tent. The interpretation: 'This is the sword of Gideon; God has given Midian into his hands.'

Gideon's 300 men surround the camp with trumpets and torches hidden in jars. At the signal, they break the jars, blow trumpets, and shout. The Midianites panic and turn on each other. Israel pursues and captures the Midianite kings.

The tribe of Ephraim angrily confronts Gideon for not calling them to battle initially. Gideon humbly deflects their anger, crediting them with capturing the Midianite princes. His soft answer turns away their wrath.

Gideon pursues and captures the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna. When Succoth and Penuel refuse to help his exhausted men, he promises judgment. After victory, he executes the kings who had killed his brothers.

Israel asks Gideon to rule over them as king, along with his son and grandson. Gideon refuses, declaring that the Lord will rule over them. His recognition of God's sovereignty is exemplary.

Despite his noble refusal of kingship, Gideon makes an ephod from gold earrings, and all Israel prostitutes themselves to it. It becomes a snare to Gideon and his family, tarnishing his legacy.

The land has peace for forty years during Gideon's lifetime. He has seventy sons from many wives and dies at a good old age. After his death, Israel returns to Baal worship.