And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
The Lord said ... By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you. It is scarcely possible to conceive a severer trial than the command to attack the overwhelming forces of the enemy, with such a handful of followers. But Gideon's faith in the divine assurance of victory was stedfast; and it is for this he is so highly commended, Hebrews 11:32.