The story of the life of Gideon begins with God allowing the Israelites to be dominated, for seven years, by the Midianites. This was done as punishment for the people's sins (Judges 6:1). The Midianites were a wandering band of nomads who, with help from the Amalekites and others, would make regular incursions into Israel (verses 3 to 5).
The people were so oppressed that they hid in fortified areas, caves and mountainous dens in order to protect themselves and some of their belongings (Judges 6:2). The need for a man like Gideon grew when their sufferings were so great that they "cried to the Lord" (verse 6, HBFV throughout).
God Hears His People
Their cry is heard and the Eternal sends a prophet to inform them why they were being oppressed (Judges 6:8 - 10). He then sends an angel of the Lord to a man named Gideon who, at the time of the visit, was threshing wheat near a winepress in order to avoid detection (verse 11).
He is commissioned to free the Israelites from their oppressors. Soon after being told what to do the Midianites gather in the valley of Jezreel (verse 33) with a combined strength of 135,000 fighting men (Judges 8:10).
After blowing a trumpet to sound the alarm of war, Gideon sends messengers to several tribes in order to summon an army. Still lacking faith, however, he asks for and receives two miracles involving a fleece (Judges 8:36 - 40).
The Real 300
The Eternal, not wanting his people to believe their own strength freed them from their enemies, decides to whittle down the initial 32,000 men (Judges 7:2 - 3) who volunteered to fight the Midianites. The small army of 300 is commanded to attack at night (verse 9). God, however, aware that the resolve of Gideon needs one final assurance of victory, tells him to visit, in secret, the enemy camp (verse 14).
Reassured of victory, the Israelites surround the enemy. When signaled, the men blow a trumpet, then smash a jar to reveal a lighted torch, then shout as loud as they can "For the Lord and for Gideon" (Judges 7:18)! The sudden noises, coupled with the appearance of torches, bring chaos and confusion to the enemy. While many begin to fight and kill each other, still others flee the area in fear (verses 21 - 22)!
Those Midianites who make it out of their camp alive, for fear of Gideon, begin to travel east toward the Jordan River with three Israelite tribes pursuing them. Messengers are also sent to the tribe of Ephraim requesting that they guard some of Jordan's strategic crossing areas.
The Ephraimites not only guard some passages but also kill two Midianite princes (Judges 7:22 - 25). The 300-man army of Gideon also pursues the enemy. Ultimately, many of the remaining 15,000 enemy troops lose their life and two Midianite kings are put to death (Judges 8:10 - 21).
The Spoils of Victory
The people of Israel, grateful for the victory, ask Gideon to be their king and establish a ruling dynasty over them (Judges 8:22). He flatly refuses their offer by reminding them that they already have a King (Judges 8:23).
As a reward, however, he asks for and receives the gold earrings worn by the slain enemy. He later melts some of the jewelry into an ephod which, sadly, the people soon use for idolatrous purposes (Judges 8:24 - 27).
The life of Gideon changes after his military exploits as he serves as a Judge in Israel for forty years. During his time as Judge the land is at peace (Judges 8:28). He marries many wives (polygamy) who give him seventy sons (verse 30) and many daughters. He also has a son named Abimelech through his concubine who lived in Shechem (verse 31).