‘ Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor?” And they answered, “As you are, so were they. Each one resembled the children of a king.” '
“Then said he to Zebah and Zalmunna.” This was clearly later when he had returned home, for his son was now with him. These three incidents in Judges 8:15-18 are described together, not necessarily chronologically, as an indication of his threefold revenge on his enemies.
“What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor?” This would be Mount Tabor. Presumably in previous raids the Midianites had searched the mountain and found Gideon's brothers there defending their hidden food supplies and their women and children. They had captured and mercilessly executed them as possible future threats. And Gideon knew of it. Probably the whole story, and especially the part played by Zebah and Zalmunna, had been described by a fugitive who escaped.
“And they answered, “As you are, so were they. Each one resembled the children of a king.” ” Like Gideon they had been upstanding, strong, unbending and men of obvious authority, which was probably why it was decided that they had to be executed to get rid of a possible future threat. The two kings must have known by this time that their fate was sealed. They remembered the incident, and the men, well.