God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
God has given you victory over the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. What could I have accomplished compared to what you have done? When he said this, their anger toward him cooled down.
Gideon wisely defuses a conflict by giving credit to others and downplaying his own role, which calms their anger.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Judges, Gideon had just led a miraculous victory against the Midianites with a small army chosen by God, demonstrating divine intervention in Israel's battles. The Ephraimites, who played a key role by capturing the Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb, were upset with Gideon for not calling them to fight earlier, leading to tension among the tribes. Gideon's humble response, emphasizing God's deliverance and their own achievements, quickly diffused the conflict and restored unity.
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