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Judges 6:1–8:32

TURNING POINT: Gideon

Gideon (Judges 6:1–8:32)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

  1. a
    beginning of oppression by Midianites6:1–10negative chronological note
  2. b
    Gideon's divine call: his destruction of idolatry at Ophrah6:11–40Gideon's family's good involvement; Gideon's fleece laid on the ground to collect dew (which encourages Gideon to have Israel to victory); Gideon pleases Yahweh, opposes the people; good results: Yahweh in control
  3. c
    troops gather for the battle7:1–14army is "made smaller," "that Israel may not boast"; intentional cooperation assured; good results: Yahweh in control
  4. d
    TURNING POINT: Yahweh gives victory7:15–22
  5. c′
    troops disperse after the battle7:23–25the pursuit; attempt to enlarge the army; boasting; intentional bickering; tragic results: Yahweh not in control
  6. b′
    Gideon's call by Israelites and his lapse into idolatry at Ophrah8:22–27Gideon's apparent spread out (on the ground) to collect spoils (which leads to idolatry); Gideon cooperates with the people, pleases Yahweh; tragic results: Yahweh not in control
  7. a′
    end of oppression by Midianites8:28–32positive chronological note

Civil war (Judges 7:23–8:21)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

  1. a
    two Midianite captains killed and strife with Ephraimites7:23–8:3
  2. b
    Succoth refuses to help Gideon8:4–7
  3. c
    Penuel refuses to help Gideon8:8–9
  4. d
    CENTER: Gideon's victory8:10–12
  5. c′
    Succoth punished by Gideon8:13–16
  6. b′
    Penuel punished by Gideon8:17
  7. a′
    two Midianite kings killed8:18–21