And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
Ver. 23. I will not rule over you.] Since I cannot without manifest wrong done to God. This modesty of his in refusing such an offer was very commendable; as it was afterwards in Alphonsus, King of Arragon, and Frederick, the Elector of Saxony, who might have been chosen emperors of Germany, but would not. Rodolphus, Duke of Suevia, was too forward to accept of the empire offered him by Pope Hildebrand; and all too late repented it. So was Silvester II, who for seven years' enjoyment of the popedom, gave his soul to the devil.