In the days after the victory over the Midianites, the men of Ephraim expressed their discontent, questioning Gideon why they were not called upon to fight against the Midianites. Gideon, in his wisdom, calmed their anger by saying that their achievements far outweighed his own, and they had been blessed by God to defeat Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb.

Once their anger had been appeased, Gideon, tired yet relentless, crossed the Jordan River with his three hundred men. He sought help from the people of Succoth, asking for loaves of bread for his weary troops who were still in pursuit of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. The men of Succoth, however, scoffed at him, saying should they feed his army when Zebah and Zalmunna were not yet defeated. Gideon, in his righteous anger, vowed to punish them once he had defeated the Midianite kings.

True to his word, Gideon defeated the Midianite kings and their armies. With great strategy, he surprised the secure Midianite camp from the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, capturing Zebah and Zalmunna and discomfitting their armies.

Returning victoriously, Gideon took fierce retribution against the men of Succoth who had denied him aid. He punished them with thorns and briers of the wilderness, breaking down their defiance as he had broken the Midianite ranks. He also destroyed the tower of Penuel, killing the men of the city who had also denied him aid.

As Gideon stood before the captured kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, he questioned them about the men they had slain at Tabor. Their description of the dead men confirmed Gideon’s fears – they were his brothers. Filled with righteous anger, Gideon sought to avenge their death. His eldest son Jether, however, was too young and fearful to execute the Midianite kings. So Gideon rose and slew them himself, also taking the spoils of their wealth.

His victory brought great joy to the people of Israel, and they offered him the rule of their land. Gideon, however, refused, declaring that only the Lord Jehovah should rule over them. Instead, he requested the golden earrings from their spoils of war, creating an ephod – an ornamental priestly garment – which was later worshipped by the Israelites to their downfall.

Peace returned to the land for forty years under Gideon’s leadership. He returned home and fathered many sons, including Abimelech from his concubine in Shechem. Upon Gideon’s death, however, Israel fell back into sin, worshipping the Baals and forgetting about Jehovah who had delivered them from their enemies. They showed no kindness to Jerubbaal, Gideon’s family, despite all the good he had done for Israel.