Chapter 8. Events To The Death of Gideon.
In this chapter we are told how Gideon pacified the Ephraimites, who complained because they were not sent for to fight the Midianites; how he pursued the Midianites until he took their two kings; and how on his return he chastised the men of Succoth and Penuel, because they had refused to relieve his men with food while they were pursuing the enemy; how he slew the two kings of Midian; and after this conquest was offered sole-rulership of Israel; how he requested of the Israelites the earrings which they had taken from the Midianites, with which he in weakness made an ephod which proved a snare to his household and his people; how the people were in peace for ‘forty years' during his life;, and that he had a numerous issue, and died in a good old age, but that after his death the Israelites fell into idolatry, and were ungrateful to his family.
The Pursuit of the Kings of Midian (Judges 8:1-21).
‘And the men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you served us like this, that you did not call us when you went to fight with Midian?” And they lambasted him sharply.'
The men of Ephraim were angry because they had not been called to the battle. No doubt they had had their share in the booty but they thought of the glory and prestige that might have been theirs. As a major tribe they treasured their position and did not want to lose it to others. It might have been a different story had the attempt been a failure. But it had been a great success. So their leaders came to him with a deputation to argue their position. They were bitter at Gideon's failure to call them.