taking up a little in their hand, amounting to no more than three hundred, were appointed as the men by whom the Lord would rescue his people from Midian. This small company were singularly provided and armed; they took "victuals in their hand," no more than enough for an immediate supply, as if in full confidence that their campaign would not be long; and for weapons, every man a trumpet, an earthen pitcher, and a lamp. As a farther sign, given unasked, Gideon was directed to go to the enemy's camp attended by his servant, and there listen to the sentiments that should be expressed; which should be for the confirmation of their faith and confidence. They did accordingly, and heard a soldier relate to his comrade a dream of the preceding night, having apparently little coherency in itself, but which evievidently was from the Lord, who also directed the soldier to an exact interpretation, and one which discovered that the very name of Gideon had filled the hearts of the Midianites with terror. Gideon, therefore, took this as a sure pledge of success, and without delay worshipped God, and returned to his little host, who were appointed of the Lord to deliver Israel. He divided them into three companies, and, directing them each to conceal his lamp within his pitcher, bade them at equal distances to surround the camp of Midian, and there to-observe and imitate all his movements. Having reached their appointed station round the camp unobserved, in the dead of the night, when most of the enemy were fast asleep, they all

at once broke their pitchers one against another, which both occasioned a great noise, and displayed the lights; they then sounded their trumpets, and shouted, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon !" These singular proceedings would naturally occasion great alarm. The Midianites, awakened and affrighted, hearing the continued sound of so many trumpets, and finding themselves surrounded with lights, concluded that they were surrounded by a large army. The terror, distraction, and suspicion became general; and while the darkness yet lasted, every one became engaged with his fellow-soldier,-especially as the power of God had previously prepared their hearts to receive such an impression,-and set every man's sword against his fellow.

On the news of this dismay and slaughter in the camp of Gideon, the Israelites from all the surrounding neighbourhood assembled round to pursue the advantage. Two of the princes, Oreb and Zeeb, were slain by the Ephraimites. After this, Zebah and Zalmunnah, their kings, with the remnant of the army, amounting to about fifteen thousand men, were pursued by Gideon and his little valiant band, who completely routed them. These kings having, in the late troubles of Israel, slain the brethren of Gideon, he acted as the avenger of blood, and slew them. As the Midianites were the descendants of Abra ham by Keturah, and not of the devoted inhabitants of Canaan, Gideon might otherwise have spared them, and declared that he would. While Gideon was

pursuing after these kings, he requested of the men of Succoth, and afterwards those of Penuel, bread for himself and his followers; which, with great inhumanity and want of patriotism, they both refused, and even added to their refusal, contempt and insult. Gideon, on his return, chastised the leaders in this misconduct at Succoth, and beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city. Such acts, be it ever remembered, were dictated by divine command or impulse, not by private resentment, or they would become highly criminal. To these victories over the enemies of Israel, the psalmist alludes, Psalm lxxxiii.

The people were so delighted with the valour and wisdom which Gideon had displayed, that they desired to settle upon him the perpetual and hereditary government; but he utterly declined the proposal. He was willing to fight for his people, to administer justice, and reform religion, as the Lord's deputy, and as long as He pleased; but he would not accept that to which the Lord had not called him. Thus he gave a noble example of pious obedience and patriotic disinterestedness.

His next action was less commendable. He requested of the people the ear-rings which they had taken among the spoils of Midian; which were very numerous and costly. With these he made an ephod, and set it up in his own city, Ophrah: What was his motive for doing this, does not appear; whether he designed to devote them to a religious

use, after the example of the officers in Moses' time, and that his want of accurate knowledge of the divine law, led him to misapply them; -Whether he intended to imitate the costly garments of the high-priest, and hoped to obtain divine answers in the same manner as were communicated to that individual;—whether, having been once commanded in an extraordinary manner to offer a sacrifice, he might conclude himself authorized to act as a priest;-or, even whether he merely intended it to form a memorial of his victory; his conduct was improper;-the ephod became a snare to himself, caused the ruin of his family, and was an occasion of idolatry to Israel after his death.

So complete was this victory, that the Midianites could lift up their heads no more; and the country was in quietness all the days of Gideon, who died in a good old age. His death, however, occasioned the display of Israel's impiety and ingratitude; for, after it, they turned again to their abominable idolatries; and they shewed no kindness to his house, according to the benefits he had done for them.

Usurpation of Abimelech. Judges ix.

1235-1232.

Gideon having had many wives, a practice at this time very prevalent in Israel, he left behind him seventy sons; besides one, called Abimelech, the offspring of his concubine, a Shechemitish woman. Gideon and his family had misled the people by the