4 Yahweh said to Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down to the water, and I will try them for you there: and it shall be, that of whom I tell you, This shall go with you, the same shall go with you; and of whoever I tell you, This shall not go with you, the same shall not go.
It happened after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" He said, "Here I am."
Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that Yahweh will work for us; for there is no restraint to Yahweh to save by many or by few.
But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the righteous; Their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
For you, God, have tested us. You have refined us, as silver is refined.
I have made you a tester of metals [and] a fortress among my people; that you may know and try their way. They are all grievous rebels, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly. The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away. Refuse silver shall men them, because Yahweh has rejected them.
"But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like launderer's soap; and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to Yahweh offerings in righteousness.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Judges 7
Commentary on Judges 7 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 7
This chapter presents us with Gideon in the field, commanding the army of Israel, and routing the army of the Midianites, for which great exploit we found in the former chapter how he was prepared by his converse with God and his conquest of Baal. We are here told,
It is a story that shines very brightly in the book of the wars of the Lord.
Jdg 7:1-8
Here,
Jdg 7:9-15
Gideon's army being diminished as we have found it was, he must either fight by faith or not at all; God therefore here provides recruits for his faith, instead of recruits for his forces.
Jdg 7:16-22
Here is,
Jdg 7:23-25
We have here the prosecution of this glorious victory.