In today’s reading, the Ephraimites reprove Gideon for not calling on them to aid in the battle with the Midianites, and Gideon talks them down, abating their anger. When he is refused supplies from the men of Succoth while in the pursuit of two of the Midianite kings, Gideon promises to extract a price for their unwillingness, and likewise for the men of Penuel. When the mission is accomplished and the Midianite kings executed, Gideon makes good on his word. When offered de facto kingship over Israel, he refuses, and returns to his home and life. He dies “at a good old age”, and is buried, and immediately the Israelites return to their idolatrous ways. When one of Gideon’s sons, Abimelech, manipulates the people to become their ruler and murders his brethren, Jotham, the youngest and only survivor of his brethren, prophesies against him and all Shechem, declaring that Abimelech and Shechem will destroy each other. As the drama plays out, Abimelech rules until the men of Shechem revolt, and Jotham’s prophecy comes to pass by the hand of God.

Into/Outro music: "Unexpectedly" (c) 1995 Alex Grant Used by permission