In Judges 6 to 10, the cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance continues as God raises up new leaders to rescue Israel. These chapters introduce the story of Gideon, one of the most famous judges, and the political and spiritual decline that follows after his death. As Israel continues to struggle with faithfulness, God demonstrates both His patience and justice.
Judges 6: Gideon’s Call to Deliver Israel from the Midianites
In Judges 6, Israel has once again turned away from God, and as a result, they fall under the oppression of the Midianites. The Midianites and their allies raid Israel, destroying crops and leaving the people in poverty. For seven years, Israel is severely oppressed, and they cry out to the Lord for help.
In response, God chooses Gideon, a man from the tribe of Manasseh, to deliver Israel. However, Gideon is initially doubtful. He sees himself as the least in his family, and his clan is the weakest in Manasseh. Despite this, God reassures him by sending an angel to commission him, and Gideon’s first act of obedience is to destroy the altar of Baal in his father’s household.
Gideon’s faith continues to grow, but he asks God for a sign of confirmation. He famously lays out a fleece of wool and asks God to make the fleece wet with dew while the ground around it stays dry. When God grants this request, Gideon asks for the opposite sign, which God also provides, confirming His calling.
Judges 7: Gideon Defeats the Midianites with 300 Men
In Judges 7, God prepares Gideon to face the Midianites, but He tells Gideon that his army is too large. To ensure that Israel knows the victory is from God, not human strength, Gideon is instructed to reduce the size of his army. From an initial force of 32,000 men, God reduces the number to 300 by testing the men at a stream, selecting only those who lapped the water with their hands to drink.
With just 300 men, Gideon surrounds the Midianite camp at night. Armed with trumpets, empty jars, and torches, the Israelites launch a surprise attack. At Gideon’s signal, they break their jars, reveal their torches, blow their trumpets, and shout, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.” Confused and terrified, the Midianites turn on each other, and Gideon’s small army is able to achieve a miraculous victory.
Judges 8: Gideon’s Later Years and Israel’s Apostasy
After defeating the Midianites, Gideon pursues the fleeing kings Zebah and Zalmunna. Though exhausted, Gideon’s army presses on until they capture and execute the Midianite kings. The Israelites, grateful for Gideon’s leadership, ask him to become their ruler and establish a dynasty. However, Gideon refuses, stating that the Lord is the true ruler of Israel.
Despite his refusal to become king, Gideon makes an ephod—a ceremonial garment—out of the gold he collects from the spoils of war. Unfortunately, this ephod becomes a snare for Israel, leading them into idolatry once again. After Gideon’s death, Israel quickly turns back to worshipping Baal, and they fail to show gratitude to Gideon’s family.
Judges 9: Abimelech’s Rise and Fall
Judges 9 tells the story of Abimelech, one of Gideon’s sons, who seeks to establish himself as king over Israel. Abimelech convinces the people of Shechem to support him, and with their help, he kills 70 of his brothers—Gideon’s other sons—on one stone, leaving only the youngest brother, Jotham, alive. Abimelech’s ruthless actions lead to his brief reign as king.
Jotham, the sole surviving son of Gideon, delivers a parable from Mount Gerizim, condemning the people of Shechem for their support of Abimelech. He compares Abimelech to a thorn bush, warning that their alliance will end in mutual destruction. This prophecy soon comes to pass, as a rebellion breaks out in Shechem. Abimelech ruthlessly suppresses the rebellion, but during a siege of the city of Thebez, a woman drops a millstone on his head, mortally wounding him. To avoid the shame of being killed by a woman, Abimelech asks his armor-bearer to kill him.
Abimelech’s downfall is seen as divine judgment for his wickedness and for the bloodshed of his brothers.
Judges 10: Tola and Jair—Two Minor Judges
After the chaos of Abimelech’s rule, Judges 10 introduces two minor judges: Tola and Jair. Tola arises to save Israel after Abimelech’s death, and he judges Israel for 23 years. Following Tola, Jair becomes a judge and leads Israel for 22 years. These two judges help stabilize the nation during a period of relative peace, but the cycle of disobedience is not far behind.
As soon as Jair dies, Israel once again turns to idolatry, worshipping the gods of the surrounding nations, including the Baalim, Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, Zidon, Moab, Ammon, and the Philistines. In response, God allows the Ammonites and Philistines to oppress Israel, and for 18 years, the Israelites suffer under their enemies. In their distress, they cry out to the Lord for deliverance, but God reminds them of their repeated unfaithfulness. He initially refuses to deliver them, but when the people repent and put away their foreign gods, God’s heart is moved by their misery, and He prepares to raise up another deliverer.
Conclusion: The Rise of Gideon and the Decline of Abimelech
Judges 6 to 10 highlight two very different leaders: Gideon, the humble judge chosen by God, and Abimelech, the self-appointed ruler who seeks power through violence. Gideon’s story demonstrates how God can use even the weakest individuals to accomplish great victories, while Abimelech’s downfall is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and ambition.
Throughout these chapters, we see the continued cycle of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God and His repeated mercy in raising up judges to deliver them. The people’s persistent idolatry contrasts sharply with God’s patience and willingness to forgive when they repent, a theme that resonates throughout the Book of Judges.
