And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
And he said to Jether his oldest son, 'Get up and kill them.' But the young man did not draw his sword because he was afraid, since he was still just a youth.
Gideon asked his young son to execute prisoners, but the boy was too scared and inexperienced to do it.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Judges, Gideon had just led Israel to victory against the Midianites and captured their kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, as part of God's deliverance of His people from oppression. As an act of vengeance for the deaths of his brothers, Gideon commanded his young son Jether to execute the kings. However, Jether hesitated and refused to draw his sword, showing the raw realities of ancient warfare and the personal fears that could arise even in moments of triumph.
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