Judges 8: Gideon is forgotten

Synopsis:

Gideon pursues the remaining Midianite princes. He asks for help of Ephraim. As they continue their pursuit – they come to Succoth – but the people their refuse to help them, so Gideon threatens to whip them with thorns when he is successful. They go to Penuel and the people there refuse to help, so Gideon tells them he will tear down their tower when he is successful.  The Midianite princes Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with 15,000 men survivors of the original fight (120,00 men had died). Gideon captures Zebah and Zalmunna and brings them back to Succoth – there he whips the elders with thorns as promised and beat down the tower at Penuel.  Gideon asked his son Jether to slay Zebah and Zalmunna – but he was young and scared so Gideon does the deed.  The children of Israel asks Gideon to rule over them. He asks for all the gold earrings they had and makes an ephod of the gold and jewels. This is worth 1,700 shekels of gold. He keeps the ephod in Ophrad. Gideon ruled for 40 years in peace.  He had 70 sons from his many wives. One of his sons was Abimelech. After Gideon died, the children of Israel ones again went whoring after Baalim and made Bazalberith their god. The children of Israel showed no kindness to the house of Gideon/Jerubbaal.

In other words:

Gideon rules over Israel for 40 years, has 70 children and when he dies, everyone goes back to worshipping Baal.

Favorite bit:

Judges 8:29 – He has 70 sons by his many wives.

Least favorite bit:

Judges 8:20 – Gideon tries to get his son to kill the princes of Midian.

Best bit:

The 1,700 shekels of gold that are made into an ephod residing in Ophrah. (Judges 8:26,27)

Moral Lesson Learned:

Doesn't matter how cool you are, you aren't likely to be remembered after you die. (Judges 8)