Shoftim Chapters 7-8: The Story of Gidon

Gidon’s story is one of the most significant and detailed in the Book of Shoftim, containing several important and fundamental points for understanding the book. Here are a few key themes, which we will sum up shortly but can be expanded upon greatly:

A.
God’s Role in Contrast to the Role of the Judge and People: At first, Gidon questions the angel who appears to him, asking, “Where are all the wonders?” The response he gets is "Go with this power of yours, and save Israel from Midyan's hand!” — suggesting a shift in responsibility from God to the people of Israel, who must now fight for themselves. This tension continues throughout the story: in the previous chapter, Gidon was ready for battle, “and they marched up to meet them” (Shoftim 6:35), but at the last moment, he requested a sign from God for assurance that he'd save Israel - expressing a lack of confidence in his own ability to lead. In our chapter, God orders Gidon to reduce the size of his army so that the victory would clearly be attributed to Him (possibly as a response to Gidon’s request for a sign; God grants the sign but ensures that the battle becomes more miraculous, thus requiring the army’s reduction). The army reduction happens in two stages: the first is from a military perspective, the second perhaps with a religious rationale (see Rashi). Even in the battle’s description, there are parallel verses: one stating that Gidon’s army fights (Shoftim 7:20) and another saying that God fights (Shoftim 7:22).

B.
Leadership: The Role of the Judge and the Concept of Kingship: Gidon is tasked by God to go to war and save Israel, and as the story progresses, Gidon embraces his mission and repeatedly emphasizes that victory and strength come from God, such as: “Get up, he announced, for the Lord has delivered the Midianite camp into your hands!” (Shoftim 7:15), and “For the Lord and for Gidon!” (Shoftim 7:18). After the victory, the people, pleased with their new leader, ask him to rule as a king-like figure: “Rule over us — you, and your son and the son of your son — for you have saved us from Midyan's hand.” (Shoftim 8:22). Gidon declines, arguing that no human king should be appointed as “The Lord shall rule over you!” This verse is significant regarding the idea of kingship in Tanakh, a broad topic appearing in various places (Devarim 17, Shmuel I 8, Yishayahu 2, Divrei Hayamim I 29, and more). It suggests that human monarchy has no place, as God is the true king. On the other hand, key verses in Shoftim attribute the book’s problems to the absence of a king, such as: “In those days, there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Shoftim 17:6). And then the narrative takes a turn in the opposite direction: Gidon made an ephod, leading all Israel astray “and it became a snare for Gidon and his household.” (Shoftim 8:27), and he names his son Avimelekh (a name we will encounter in the following chapters).

C.
The Unity and Relationships Between the Tribes: A central question in Shoftim is whether Israel sees itself as one nation or whether each tribe solely takes care of its own needs. Gidon succeeds in rallying the tribes of Naftali, Asher, Menashe and more, who are referred to as “the men of Israel,” symbolizing a unified identity. He also successfully handles Efrayim’s harsh reaction to not being called initially and makes them feel valued for their contribution. However, this unity begins to falter during the conflict with the men of Sukkot and Penuel, which Gidon fails to resolve and after winning the battle he still seeks revenge. This act may mark a shift in Gidon’s focus, as he takes their insult personally: “about whom you taunted me” (Shoftim 8:15).

For those interested in further exploration of Gidon’s story, we include links to a lecture by Rav Amnon Bazak from Herzog’s Yemei Iyun B’Tanakh and a comprehensive article by Dr. Neria Klein from מגדים  journal.