2-3. But Gideon replied, “What have I done compared to you? Why, even the gleanings of Ephraim are superior to the vintage of Abiezer. God gave you Midian’s commanders, Oreb and Zeeb. What have I done compared with you?”When they heard this, they calmed down and cooled off.
18. He then addressed Zebah and Zalmunna: “Tell me about the men you killed at Tabor.”“They were men much like you,” they said, “each one like a king’s son.”
19. Gideon said, “They were my brothers, my mother’s sons. As God lives, if you had let them live, I would let you live.”
20. Then he spoke to Jether, his firstborn: “Get up and kill them.” But he couldn’t do it, couldn’t draw his sword. He was afraid—he was still just a boy.
21. Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Do it yourself—if you’re man enough!” And Gideon did it. He stepped up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna. Then he took the crescents that hung on the necks of their camels.
22. The Israelites said, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson. You have saved us from Midian’s tyranny.”