Judges 8:7-16

7Gideon replied, ‘Because you say that, I will return here. When the Lord has put Zebah and Zalmunna under my power, I will come back to punish you. I will beat you with thorn branches that will tear your skin to pieces!’

8Gideon continued his journey to Peniel. He asked their people for food too. But they gave him the same answer as the men of Succoth.

9Gideon also warned the men of Peniel, ‘When I have won the fight against my enemies, I will return. Then I will destroy your strong tower.’

10Zebah and Zalmunna had 15,000 men with them in Karkor. They were the only men left of their great army from the east. 120,000 of their soldiers had died in the battle.

11Gideon went along a road near the desert. It was east of Nobah and Jogbehah. He attacked the enemy's army by surprise.

12The two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, ran away. Gideon chased after them and he caught them. The whole Midianite army ran away in fear.

13Then Gideon left the place of the battle to return home. He went along the road across Heres hills.

14He caught a young man who came from Succoth. He asked him about the leaders of Succoth. The young man wrote down the names of 77 leaders and officers of the city.

15Gideon went to Succoth with Zebah and Zalmunna. He said to the leaders, ‘Now I have brought these kings to you! You insulted me! You said, “We will not give your tired men any food until you have caught Zebah and Zalmunna.” ’

16Then Gideon took hold of Succoth's leaders. He beat them with thorn branches to punish them.