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The excellencies noted of Gideon m his history are these:

1. His providence in time of extremity (Judges 6:11). The point of providence is commended in Joseph (Genesis 41:48), and pressed by the wise man (Proverbs 6:8).

2. His valour (Judges 6:12). It is of excellent use for the managing of weighty works.

3. His acknowledgment of God to be the disposer of all (Judges 6:13).

4. His humble, lowly mind (Judges 6:15).

5. His desire to have his faith strengthened in God's promise (Judges 6:17).

6. His gratitude to him that brought him the glad tidings of his delivering Israel (Judges 6:18).

7. His liberal hospitality (Judges 6:19).

8. His fear and trembling at God's presence (Judges 6:22).

9. His piety towards God, manifested both by building an altar to God (which was in those days a solemn rite of worshipping God thereby), and also by the name he gave to the altar.

10. His obedience to God's charge, and that both in the general substance, and particular circumstances thereof (Judges 6:27, 28).

11. His prudence in making preparation for that work whereunto God had called him (Judges 6:34, 35). This care of preparing means may well stand with true faith: yea, it is a fruit thereof,

12. His care to encourage others to that whereof himself was confident (Judges 7:15).

13. His care to raise up the hearts of his soldiers to God (Judges 7:18).

14. His meek spirit, and soft answer, whereby he pacified the furious rage of the Ephraimites (Judges 8:1-3).

15. His constancy in pursuing a victory well begun (Judges 8:4, 11, 12).

16. His care to refresh his soldiers, weary with pursuing their enemies (Judges 8:5, 8). Jonathan doth set out the benefit hereof (1 Samuel 14:27).

17. His just revenge on the inhuman, and scornful men of Succoth and Penuel (Judges 8:15, dec.).

18. His modesty in refusing that honour which the people would have conferred upon him (Judges 8:23). How few are of that mind?

19. His care to preserve peace after he had got full conquest upon his enemies; for it is noted, that after the conquest the country was in quietness all his days (Judges 18:28). This is the most proper end of war.

20. His contentedness with his own private means (Judges 8:29). In which respect he is said to dwell in his own house. The principal observation concerning Gideon's faith is, that it made him with three hundred unarmed men, upon God's command, set upon an army of many thousands (Judges 7:7). So as faith resteth on God with small means as confidently as with great (1 Samuel 14:6; 2 Chronicles 14:11).

(W. Gouge.)

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KJV: And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

WEB: What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;