Judges 8:1-9

1The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done this to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites?” And they argued with him violently.

2So he said to them, “What have I done now compared to you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?

3God handed over to you Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he said this, their anger against him subsided.

4Gideon and the three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it. They were exhausted but still in pursuit.

5He said to the men of Succoth, “Please give some loaves of bread to the troops under my command, because they are exhausted, for I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

6But the princes of Succoth asked, “Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hands that we should give bread to your army?”

7Gideon replied, “Very well, when the Lord has handed Zebah and Zalmunna over to me, I will tear your flesh with thorns and briers from the wilderness!”

8He went from there to Penuel and asked the same thing from them. The men of Penuel answered just as the men of Succoth had answered.

9He also told the men of Penuel, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower!”