So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
So the people took food supplies and their trumpets with them. Gideon sent all the other Israelites back to their homes, keeping only the three hundred men. The Midianite army was camped below them in the valley.
Gideon sent most of his army home and kept only 300 men to face the massive Midianite army that was camped in the valley below.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the period of the Judges when Israel was oppressed by the Midianites for seven years. God had dramatically reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men to demonstrate that victory would come through divine power, not human strength. The Midianites were a nomadic people who regularly invaded Israel during harvest time, devastating their crops and livestock.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.