Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 68
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IMMERSE
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KINGDOMS
7:22–8:12
Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. When
the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ 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.
Then Gideon sent for the warriors of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh,
who joined in chasing the army of Midian. Gideon also sent messengers
throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down to attack
the Midianites. Cut them off at the shallow crossings of the Jordan River
at Beth-barah.”
So all the men of Ephraim did as they were told. They captured Oreb
and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders, 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 River.
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.
But Gideon replied, “What have I accomplished compared to you?
Aren’t even the leftover grapes of Ephraim’s harvest better than the entire
crop of my little clan of Abiezer? God gave you victory over Oreb and
Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished
compared to that?” When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon’s answer,
their anger subsided.
Gideon then crossed the Jordan River with his 300 men, and though
exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy. When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, “Please give my warriors some
food. They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of
Midian.”
But the officials of Succoth replied, “Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first,
and then we will feed your army.”
So Gideon said, “After the Lord gives me victory over Zebah and Zal
munna, I will return and tear your flesh with the thorns and briers from
the wilderness.”
From there Gideon went up to Peniel and again asked for food, but he
got the same answer. So he said to the people of Peniel, “After I return in
victory, I will tear down this tower.”
By this time Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with about 15,000
warriors—all that remained of the allied armies of the east, for 120,000
had already been killed. Gideon circled around by the caravan route east
of Nobah and Jogbehah, taking the Midianite army by surprise. Zebah and