Bible summary
Gideon’s miraculous story of victory continues as he sets off in hot pursuit of two of the kings of Midian – Zebah and Zalmunna. On the way he has an encounter with three groups of people – the Ephraimites who are upset with him for going to fight without them and the people of Succoth and Penuel, who he asks for refreshment for his men who weary in the battle. Both groups of people refuse to help him and he promises that he will destroy them when he returns after capturing the kings. He is successful in capturing Zebah and Zalmunna, kills them and takes revenge on the people of Succoth and Penuel for not helping him. Sadly, Gideon story ends in idolatry and after his death the people lapse back into the cycle of worshipping false gods.
Chapter 9 shows an internal battle for control as one of Gideon’s sons Abimelech, kills all Gideon’s sons except for one, Jotham who got away. The rest of the chapter outlines the downfall of Abimelech and his eventual death.
