Judges 9:22

Judges 9:22 says, When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,  Verse twenty-three adds, Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:  After Abimelech ruled three years, God caused trouble to arise between the men of Shechem and him.  Matthew Henry says that their own lusts, influenced by Satan and allowed by God led to their falling out.  God still allows Satan to influence people today if they don't put their faith in Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-four continues, That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.  God allowed this because Abimelech had killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Gideon, and the men of Shechem had aided him in doing so.  We may have a time of success if we go against God and His people, but we will one day be held accountable.  Verse twenty-five states, And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.  The people of Shechem begin to have people lie in wait for people coming across the top of the mountain and rob them, and Abimelech heard about this.  He evidently had not authorized it, nor was he profiting from it.  There is no better way to get the attention of greedy, selfish rulers, or people in general, than to start doing something that they see as effecting what they think should at least partly be theirs.  Verse twenty-six adds, And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.  Gaal, the son of Ebed came to his brothers and went over into Shechem and the people there put their faith in him instead of Abimelech.  There will always be new people who challenge the rule or authority of others when they are neither following God's leadership.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.  After putting their faith in Gaal, the people of Shechem began to openly defy Abimelech.  They gathered their harvest and made merry in the house of their god, without any concern for nor devotion to Abimelech.  They may have been parting ways with Abimelech, but they still hadn't confessed their sin of having aided him in killing the seventy sons of Gideon.  Simply having a falling out with other sinners will never save us if we do not confess our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-eight says, And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?  Gaal asked who Abimelech and Zebul his officer were, that they should serve him, asking was Abimelech not the son of Jerubbaal, or Gideon, whose other sons he had killed to keep them from claiming power over Israel.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.  Gaal then stated that he wished the people were under his authority and challenged Abimelech to increase his army and come and face him.  Neither Gaal nor Abimelech was appointed by God.  Verse thirty states, And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.  When Zebul, who was ruling over Shechem while Abimelech was away heard what Gaal said, he became angry.  He still sided with Abimelech, though the other people of Shechem were turning against him.  Verse thirty-one adds, And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.  Zebul sent messengers secretly to Abimelech telling him that the city of Shechem was being fortified against him under the leadership of Gaal.  We should not be surprised when lost people of the world today go to war with each other.  Verse thirty-two continues, Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:  Verse thirty-three concludes, And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.  Zebul advised Abimelech to gather his forces by night in the field outside Shechem, and then when Gaal and the men of Shechem came out, he could take them by surprise.  Often, those who are seeking their own power in the world today act in darkness hoping to catch their enemies off guard, but we as followers of Christ should never do this, because we should be walking in the Light, empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

Judges 9:7

Judges 9:7 says, And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.  When Jotham heard what had happened to his brothers, he called out to the men of Shechem from the top of Mount Gerazim. Jotham did not raise an army and attempt to take over ruling the people of Shechem, even though Abimelech had said this was the intent of the sons of Gideon.  He simply began to point out their stupidity in following Abimelech.  Verse eight adds, The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.  Jotham begin to speak in a parable about the trees wanting to elect a king.  This parable was evidently inspired by God, and it showed Jotham's understanding of the situation.   Sometimes, instead of fighting against those who profess to be Christians and who are doing things that are not in accordance with God's will, all we can really do is point out the error of their ways under the guidance of God.  We cannot just base it on our own opinion, but must be based on God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Verse nine continues, But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  The trees first went to the olive tree to ask it to be king, but the olive tree turned them down because it provided olives used to honor God and men, so why would it want to give this up simply to rule over the other trees.  The trees really had no need for a king, and neither did the people of Shechem, because God was their king and they were simply to be productive doing what God called them to do, and this still applies to us today.  We as followers of Christ should not aspire to rule, but to serve, doing what God calls us to do and bearing fruit for His kingdom and His glory.  Verse ten states, And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.  Verse eleven adds, But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?  The trees next went to the fig tree, and got pretty much the same answer as the olive tree had given them, which was why give up doing what it was designed to do simply to spend its time being a ruler over the other trees.  If God has not called us into a leadership position, why would we today want to be in that position instead of serving where God has called us to serve?  Verse twelve says, Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.  Verse thirteen adds, And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  The trees, being determined to have a king that they didn't need, next went to the grapevine, and again received a similar answer as to why the grapevine wouldn't serve as their king.  We should never be so determined to have an earthly ruler that we continue to look everywhere instead of looking to God.  Verse fourteen states, Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.  Verse fifteen adds, And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.  The trees finally asked the bramble, and unproductive and destructive vine, to be their king, and the bramble accepted.  Since rhe bramble was being used to represent Abimelech, Matthew Henry says this might imply that the people of Shechem asked him to be their king and he in self pride accepted, but this really doesn't seem to be what the Bible says.  The bramble did say that they were to trust in its shadow.  We as Christians should never exalt leaders, especially those who do not seem to put moraliy first, if they continually exalt themselves.  Verse sixteen continues, Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;  Jotham then pointed out that this was what the people of Shechem had done when they foolishly chose Abimelech as their king, while ignoring all that Gideon had done for them while asking for nothing in return.  We today need to judge people by what they have done to benefit others by God's guidance, and not by what they may have done to help themselves.  Verse seventeen declares, (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:  Verse eighteen adds, And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)  Jotham reminded them of what his father, Gideon, had done for them and then of how they had treated him by killing his seventy sons on the word of Abimelech that they aspired to be king.  Abimelech, Gideon's son by his concubine, who had done nothing for the people of Shechem,  was the only one of Gideon's sons to ask to be made king.  Yet, the people followed him because he said it would stop Gideon's other sons from wanting to rule over them.  We need to be careful that we do not follow someone who promotes himself as being the one who can keep us from a harmful situation that does not really exist.  Verse nineteen states, If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:  Jotham said if they had dealt truly and sincerely with the Gideon and his sons, that they should rejoice and Abimelech should rejoice with them.  Ultimately, as Christians, we all have ask ourselves if we are dealing honestly and truly with those that we may condemn or follow, and it must all be done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-one adds, But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.  Jotham then said that if they had not done so, let Abimelech and them be destroyed by fire.  One day, those who refuse to follow God by putting their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord will go away to everlasting punishment in the fires of hell.  Verse twenty-one continues, And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.  Jotham did not attempt to take over as king, but fled to Beer because of his fear of his brother, Abimelech.  I don't believe that we as Christians today should ever run away out of fear, but neither should we claim power for ourselves, unless we truly believe that this is what God wants us to do.

Judges 9:1

Judges 9:1 says, And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, Abimelech, Gideon's son by his concubine, went Shechem to his mother's brethren and talked with all of them.  Shechem was in the land of the tribe of Ephraim, and there is no indication that the elders there felt that God had chosen Abimelech to be the leader of Israel until he started promoting the idea himself.  There definitely was no record of God calling him to do so.  We need to be careful about following those who are promoting themselves today as the only way to be successful in following God.  Verse two adds, Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.  Abimelech asked the people of Shechem to consider whether it was better for seventy sons of Gideon to reign over them, or one, Abimelech himself, who was of their tribe, alone to reign over them.  Of course, Gideon himself had not said any of his sons were going to be in power over Israel after he died, and neither had God.  We may be called on at times to make a choice that seems sensible in worldly terms, but is not something that God has called on us to make a decision about.  Verse three continues, And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.  The men of Shechem all spoke of Abimelech and asked the questions he had asked, and decided it was better to follow Abimelech, because he was of their tribe.  They did not consult God, even though they were a part of His chosen people.  We as followers of Christ should never make decisions in life based on what seems best for us without first talking to God about it.  If we do make decisions without praying about it, we will often make the wrong one.  Verse four states, And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.  The people of Shechem gave Abimelech money from the public treasury, which he used to hire vain and light men, or those willing to do anything for money, to help him in establishing himself as the ruler of Israel.  Matthew Henry says this was money given to the idol that they worshipped.  People today, even those who profess to be God's people, will often offer material support to someone who appears to be the best person to benefit them personally, without considering what God would have them do.  Verse five adds, And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.  Abimelech went to Ophrah and killed the seventy sons of Gideon, except for Jotham, the youngest, who hid himself.  Verse six continues,  And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.  The men of Shechem gathered with the men of Millo and made Abimelech king.  Of course, they were only a part of the entire nation of Israel, but they were making Abimelech king.  We cannot make decisions that will affect other Christians today without first praying and then discussing things with them if possible.

Judges 8:28

Judges 8:28 says, Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.  The Midianites were subdued, and the nation of Israel enjoyed forty years of peace in the days of Gideon.  Though we as followers of Christ may be at war with the forces of evil in the world today, we should be at peace with God.  As Paul said, whatever our state, we should be content, because we know that the victory is already ours through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.  Jerubbaal, or Gideon, went and dwelt in his own house. Gideon did not demand a place of honor and prestige to live, but returned to his own house.  He didn't place himself above his fellow Israelites, and we as Christians cannot do that today either.  Verse thirty continues, And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.  Gideon had seventy sons,because he had many wives.  We know that even though many of the Old Testment leaders of God's people had many wives, this was not God's plan for marriage.  We may break God's law, and we will, as followers of Christ and yet still be led by God to do great things for His kingdom.  Verse thirty-one states, And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.  Gideon also had a son named Abimelech by his concubine in Shechem.  Verse thirty-two adds, And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  Gideon died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father.  No matter how long we live, one day we will all die, unless Jesus Christ returns first.  Verse thirty-three continues, And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.  They had already started to worship the golden ephod that Gideon made, but after he died, the people of Israel turned totally away from God and again began to worship Baal, and made Baalberith their god.  Matthew Henry says that Baalberith signifies the god of the covenant, which may have been an imitation of the covenant relationship between the people of Israel and God.  We may go seeking other gods today, but the one and only true God comes seeking us instead.  Verse thirty-four says, And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:  The people of Israel once again forget the true God, Who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies.  We as followers of Christ serve that same God today, but if we do not teach our children about Him and lead them to a personal relationship with Him, in a generation He can be forgotten.  Verse thirty-five adds, Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.  They not only forgot God, but they showed no kindness to the descendants of Jerubbaal, or Gideon.  After all, before delivering them from the Midianites, he had first torn down the altar to Baal and destroyed the grove associated with Baal at his father’s house.  I don't believe that those who chase after other gods will ever look at the followers of Christ with kindness.  They will likely tolerate us at best.  

Judges 8:22

Judges 8:22 says, Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.  The people of Israel asked Gideon to rule over them, and his son and grandson after him, because he had delivered them from the Midianites.  We aren't told that they prayed about this, and they were giving Gideon credit for what God had done.  Today, we as followers of Christ need to pray as we elect leaders, if we have that choice, and need to never give credit to anyone for what God has done.  Verse twenty-three adds, And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.  Gideon set them straight by saying that neither he nor his sons would reign over them, but that God would.  There are people today who say that they alone can rule a country, and very often they leave God out of it.  Verse twenty-four continues, And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)  Gideon then asked the men to give him all the earrings that they had taken from their enemies, who were Ishmaelites, after they had slain them.  We today should give everything that we gain to God, to be used as He guides us to do.  Verse twenty-five states, And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.  The people of Israel said that they would willingly give them, then spread a blanket and put the earrings on it.  (Though I never will, evidently men wore earrings even way back then.)  We need to willingly give everything to God, but I believe that we also have a responsibility to make sure that what we give is going to be used for God's purpose and glory, and not for some individual's enrichment.  Verse twenty-six adds, And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.  There was a lot of gold in all that they had siezed, plus other valuables that they surrendered willingly.  No matter how much we may gain from doing God's work today, we must willingly give it back to Him and not believe that it is ours to do with as we so desire.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.  Gideon made an ephod out of the gold,and hung it in Ophrah, and people began to worship it, and it became a snare to Gideon and his sons.  If we begin to worship material things that God blesses us with today, instead of worshipping God, they will become a snare to us also. 

Judges 8:10

Judges 8:10 says, Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.  Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with fifteen thousand men, all that was left of their army after one hundred and twenty thousand had been killed.  They had escaped before the border was sealed of by the people of Ephraim.  Verse eleven adds, And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.  Gideon and his three hundred men, though tired and hungry, did not pursue them directly, but went in a in a way that would cut them off.  Even if we are tired, hungry and outnumbered as followers of Christ today and even if we have had great success in our battle against sin and evil today, we cannot be content and just sit back and rest.  There will always be more to do in the battle.  They met the enemy when they thought they were secure, or at night according to Matthew Henry.  Verse twelve continues, And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.  Once more, the two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna fled, but Gideon caught them.  They seemed to be looking out for their own safety and not concerned about that of ther men.  Many so called leaders are the same way today.  Verse thirteen states, And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,  Gideon returned from the battle before the sun was up.  God had given Gideon a quick and complete victory,  and though He may not give us as quick a victory over the forces of evil today, He has already given us a complete victory if we are obedient to Him.  Verse fourteen adds, And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.  Gideon caught up with a young man of Succoth and had him describe the elders of Succoth, which numbered seventy-seven men.  These were the men who had refused Gideon's request for bread for his troops.  If we as Christians refuse to help our fellow Christians when they are in need, God knows our name and one day we may be held accountable for our actions.  Verse fifteen continues, And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?  Gideon came to the rulers of Succoth with Zebah and Zalmunna in his captivity, and said that they had asked him if they were when they so recently refused to help him, and now they were.  We cannot demand that those who need our help today show us that they are going to be successful in accomplishing what God has called them to do before we help them.  Verse sixteen says, And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.  Gideon took these rulers of Succoth and beat them with briers to teach them a lesson.  He didn't kill them though.  I don't believe that we are to beat those who don't help us when we need help to more easily accomplish what God calls us to do today though, but we need to be in prayer for them instead.  Verse seventeen adds, And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.  Gideon then tore down the tower of Penuel, which they saw as their source of strength, and killed their leaders.  If we are looking to earthly things for security as followers of Christ, we need to realize that they are worthless.  Verse eighteen states, Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.  Gideon then asked Zebah and Zalmunna what the people that they slew at Tabor looked like, and they said they looked like Gideon and each resembled a child of a king.  As Christians, we all look alike spiritually, and we are all a child of the King.  Verse nineteen adds, And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.  Gideon told Zebah and Zalmunna that these men that they killed were his brothers, and had they spared them that he would likewise spare them.  If people do not show mercy to others today, they should not expect God to show mercy to them.  Verse twenty continues, And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Gideon told his son oldest son, Jether, to slay the two kings, but he was unable to because of his youth.  Those who are young in their faith in Christ today may not yet be able to do some of the harder things required in the fight against sin and evil in the world today, but we need to give them opportunities to grow in faith and do so.  Verse twenty-one concludes, Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.  Zebah and Zalmunna asked Gideon to slay them himself as a sign of acknowledgement of their strength, though they really hadn't shown much, so he did.   Gideon also took away the ornaments that were on their camel's necks, which were probably a sign of their authority.  If we do not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, one day He will be our judge and take away all the things that we own and think make us better than others. 

Judges 8:1

Judges 8:1 says, And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.  The men of Ephraim asked Gideon why he didn't call them when he went against the Midianites, and chided him.  Too often today Christians get upset with other Christians because thay somehow feel slighted if these other Christians are being successful without them, but instead we should rejoice with them at their success if it comes from obeying God.  Verse two adds, And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?  Gideon asked how they thought he was better.  He then asked if dealing with the remnant by the people of Ephraim was not as important as the other Israelites dealing with the main force. Today, cleaning up remaining sins is just as important as dealing with the majority.  Verse three continues, God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.  Gideon asked them if the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, were not delivered by God to them, then they lost their anger toward him.  Instead of being angry at other Christians because they seemingly been more successful than us, we need to look to God and give Him the glory for what they have accomplished.  Verse four states, And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. Gideon and the three hundred, though tired, crossed over the Jordan still in pursuit of the Midianites.  There were about fifteen thousand Midianites, and Gideon was still remaining true to God's telling him to take only three hundred men with him.  We should never allow the size of the enemy forces to keep us from doing what God calls us to do, even when we get tired.  Verse five adds, And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.  Gideon asked the men of Succoth to give bread to the three hundred and him, because they were weak and yet still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.  We should never be reluctant to ask our fellow Christians for help when we need it to accomplish God's will.  Verse six continues, And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?  The people of Succoth asked if Gideon had already captured Zebah and Zalmunna so that they should give them bread.  We should never demand a final result before helping people in carrying out their calling from God, especially when they are in great need of help.  Verse seven says, And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.  Gideon said that since the people of Succoth would not help them, as soon as he was successful he was going to return and punish them.  Verse eight adds, And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.  Gideon then went to the men of Penuel and asked them for help, and they treated him the same way as the people of Succoth had.  The people of Succoth and Penuel were both of the tribe of Gad and therefore a part of the people of Israel.  As followers of Christ, we should never refuse help to other Christians, even if some who also profess to be do.  Verse nine continues, And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.  Gideon then told the people of Penuel that when he returned to them in peace, he would break down their tower.