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士师记生命读经 · 第5篇

以色列离弃神的惨痛历史

The Miserable History of Israel’s Forsaking of God
二至十六章（三）以色列惨痛历史的第四次循环
Chapters 2-16 (3) The Fourth Cycles of the Miserable History of Israel
1读经：士师记6:1—8:32。我在主面前思想六章一节至八章三十二节之后，相信陈明士师记这段之内在意义的路，是先陈明基甸成功的秘诀，然后陈明他失败的关键。
1Scripture Reading: Judg. 6:1—8:32 After considering 6:1—8:32 before the Lord, I believe that the way to present the intrinsic significance of this portion of Judges is to present, first, the secret of Gideon’s success and then the secret of his failure
2基甸是奇妙的士师，非常特别的蒙耶和华呼召，他因著四件事而成功。第一，他仔细听神的话，这在当时以色列人中间是少有的。第二，基甸服从神的话，照著神的话而行。第三，他拆毁巴力祭坛，砍下亚舍拉。（六25～28。）这摸著神的心。以色列堕落时，神恨恶偶像到极点。神这真丈夫认为，所有的偶像都是与祂妻子以色列行淫的男人。第四，藉著拆毁父亲的巴力祭坛，砍下亚舍拉，基甸牺牲了他与父亲的关系，以及他对社会的享受。因著他所作的，俄弗拉城的人就与他争辩，甚至要杀他。（28～。）基甸要为神作这样的事，需要他牺牲自己的权益，而他的牺牲是他成功的有力因素。七章二至七节里拣选三百人的事，也强调为著神的定旨牺牲我们个人的权益和享受。基甸吹号招聚百姓攻打米甸人时，三万二千人响应。神说，跟随基甸的人过多，神不能将米甸人交在他们手中，免得以色列人向神夸大说，『是我自己的手救了我。』（2。）神告诉基甸，他有过多的人，指明祂要为他们争战。首先，二万二千人回去，因为他们惧怕。（3。）然后耶和华试验其余的一万人，把他们带到水旁喝水。凡跪下喝水，餂水像狗餂的，就被打发回家。（5。）只有用手捧著餂水的三百人，蒙神拣选来与米甸人争战。（6。）耶和华告诉基甸，祂要藉著那样餂水的三百人，拯救他们脱离米甸人。（7。）这三百人和基甸一样，甘愿牺牲以为神所用。
2Gideon, a marvelous judge who was called by Jehovah in a very particular way, was successful because of four things. First, he listened carefully to the word of God, something that was rare among the children of Israel at that time. Second, Gideon obeyed God’sword and acted on it. Third, he tore down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah (6:25-28). This touched God’she art. In the degradation of Israel, God hated the idols to the uttermost. God as the genuine Husband regarded all the idols as men with whom His wife Israel had committed harlotry. Fourth, by tearing down the altar of Baal and cutting down the Asherah that belonged to his father, Gideon sacrificed his relationship with his father and his enjoyment of society. Because of what he had done, the men of the city of Ophrah contended with him and even wanted to kill him (vv. 28-30). For Gideon to do such a thing 30 for God required that he sacrifice his own interests, and his sacrifice was a strong factor of his success. The selection of the three hundred in 7:2-7 also stresses the sacrifice of our personal interests and enjoyment for God’s purpose. When Gideon blew the trumpet to call the people to fight against the Midianites, thirty- two thousand responded. God said that those who were with Gideon were too many for God to deliver Midian into their hand, for Israel might have vaunted himself against God, saying, “My own hand has saved me” (v. 2). By telling Gideon that he had too many people, God was indicating that He would fight for them. First, twenty - two thousand went home because they were afraid (v. 3). Then Jehovah tested the remaining ten thousand by bringing them to the water to drink. Those who bowed down on their knees and lapped as a dog laps were sent home (v. 5). Only the three hundred who lapped the water into their mouths with their hands were chosen by God for the battle against Midian (v. 6). Jehovah told Gideon that through the three hundred men who lapped in that way, He would save them from Midian. Like Gideon, these three hundred were willing to sacrifice in order to be used by God.
3由于这四个因素，基甸得著赏赐：经纶的灵降在他身上。（六34。）因此，他成为一个大能的人，只带著三百人，就击败两个首领和两个王。（七25，八10～12。）我们在基甸身上看见一幅图画：与神联结的人，就是神人，如何实行神的话，并完成神的经纶。在他大大成功─士师记里所记载以色列历史一切循环中最大的成功─以后，基甸有了可怕的失败。他失败的关键包含三个因素。第一，基甸不仁慈。他杀了那些不支持他的同胞，（16～17，）干犯了神的第六条诫命。（出二十13。）第二，他放纵肉体的情欲，对肉体的情欲毫不约束。这由士师记八章三十节所指明，这节告诉我们，基甸有七十个儿子，『因为他有许多的妻。』此外，他的妾住在示剑，也给他生了一个儿子。（31。）藉此基甸干犯了第七条诫命。（出二十14。）第三，虽然他在拒绝管理百姓的事上作得很好，（士八22～23，）但他贪恋百姓所夺的掠物，百姓就将掠物交给他。（24。）基甸放纵性欲并贪恋金子，就导致拜偶像。贪婪就是拜偶像，（西三5，）淫乱与贪婪都连于拜偶像。（弗五5。）甚至所罗门王，起初是敬畏神、爱神的人，至终由于娶了许多外邦妻子，也成了拜偶像的人。（王上十一4。）基甸用他从百姓取得的金子制造了一个以弗得，这以弗得成了以色列人的偶像。（士八27。）结果，基甸的家和整个以色列社会都被败坏。基甸起初拆毁巴力祭坛及其偶像，但在他成功以后，却建立另一个敬拜的东西。这失败抵销了他一切的成功。
3As a result of these four factors, Gideon received a reward: the economical Spirit came upon him (6:34). Hence, he became powerful and with only three hundred men defeated two princes and two kings (7:25; 8:10-12). With Gideon we have a picture of a man in union with God, a God-man, to fulfill God’sword and to carry out God’secon o my. After his great success—the greatest success in all the cycles of Israel’s history recorded in Judges— Gideon had a terrible failure. The secret of his failure comprises three factors. First, Gideon was not kind. He killed those countrymen who did not support him (vv. 16-17), breaking the sixth commandment of God (Exo. 20:13). Second, he indulged in the lust of the flesh, not exercising any restriction over his fleshly lust. This is indicated by Judges 8:30, which tells us that Gideon had seventy sons, “for he had many wives.” In addition, his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son (v. 31). By this Gideon broke the seventh commandment (Exo. 20:14). Third, although he did a good thing in refusing to rule over the people (Judg. 8:22-23), he coveted the spoil of his people, and they surrendered it to him (v. 24). Gideon’s indulgence in sex and his greediness for gold led to idolatry. Greediness is idolatry (Col. 3:5), and both fornication and greediness are linked to idol worship (Eph. 5:5). Even King Solomon, who began as a God-fearing and God-loving person, eventually became an idol worshipper through his many foreign wives (1 Kings 11:4). Gideon made an ephod with the gold he had taken from the people, and this ephod became an idol to the children of Israel (Judg. 8:27). As a result, Gideon’s family and the entire society of Israel were corrupted. Gideon began by tearing down the altar of Baal and its idol, but after his success he built something idolatrous. This failure canceled all his success
4士师记是一卷关于享受美地的书；美地是基督的预表。基甸的成功指明他得著绝佳的机会享受基督，他的失败指明他失去机会享受基督。他的失败给我们看见，我们需要在性和钱财的事上，施行严格的管制。否则，我们会失去对基督的享受。在这些事上任何的放纵，都会抹煞我们对基督的享受。
4Judges is a book concerning the enjoyment of the good land, which is a type of Christ. Gideon’s success indicates the gaining of an excellent opportunity to enjoy Christ, but his failure indicates the losing of the opportunity to enjoy Christ. His failure shows us that we need to exercise strict control in dealing with the matters of sex and wealth. Otherwise, we will suffer the loss of the enjoyment of Christ. Any indulgence in these things will cause our enjoyment of Christ to be annulled.
5现在我们继续来看六章一节至八章三十二节所记载，以色列惨痛历史中第四次循环的许多细节。
5Let us now go on to consider the many details of the fourth cycle of Israel’s miserable history recorded in 6:1—8:32
肆 、第四次循环
IV. THE FOURTH CYCLE
一 、以色列人又行耶和华眼中看为恶的事
A. Israel Again Doing That Which Was Evil in the Sight of Jehovah
6以色列人又行耶和华眼中看为恶的事。（六1上。）
6Once again the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah (6:1a
二 、耶和华把以色列人交在米甸人手里七年
B. Jehovah Delivering Israel into the Hand of Midian for Seven Years
7耶和华把以色列人交在米甸人手里七年。（1下～6上。）以色列人为自己在山中挖穴、挖洞、建造营寨。（2。）以色列人每逢撒种之后，米甸人、亚玛力人、和东方人，都上来攻打他们，并且带著牲口帐棚来，像蝗虫那样多，毁坏土产。（3～。）因此，『以色列人因米甸人的缘故，极其穷乏。』（6上。）
7Jehovah delivered Israel into the hand of Midian for seven years (vv. 1b-6a). The children of Israel made for themselves dens, caves, and strongholds in the mountains (v. 2). Whenever Israel sowed, Midian rose up with Amalek and the children of the east against Israel and came with their cattle and their tents like swarming locusts to destroy the produce of the land (v v. 3-5). Thus, “Israel was greatly impoverished5 because of Midian” (v. 6a).
三 、以色列人因米甸人的缘故，哀求耶和华
C. The Children of Israel Crying Out to Jehovah because of Midian
8以色列人因米甸人的缘故，哀求耶和华。（6下～7。）
8The children of Israel cried out to Jehovah because of Midian (vv. 6b-7
四 、耶和华差遣申言者责备以色列人
D. Jehovah Sending a Prophet to Reprove the Children of Israel
9耶和华差遣申言者责备以色列人。（8上。）１.题醒他们，
9Jehovah sent a man who was a prophet to reprove the children of Israel (v. 8a). 1. Reminding Them of Jehovah’s Delivering Them
耶和华曾救他们脱离埃及，将迦南地赐给他们
from Egypt and His Giving to Them the Land of Canaan
10藉著这申言者，耶和华题醒以色列人，祂曾救他们脱离埃及人的手，并脱离一切欺压他们之人的手。祂也题醒他们，祂把迦南人从他们面前赶出，将迦南地赐给他们。（8下～9。）
10Through this prophet Jehovah reminded the children of Israel of His delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed them. He also reminded them that He had driven out the Canaanites before them and had given to them the land of Canaan (vv. 8b-9
２ .吩咐他们，不可敬畏亚摩利人的神
2. Charging Them Not to Fear the Gods of the Amorites
11耶和华吩咐以色列人，不可敬畏亚摩利人的神，他们竟不听从祂的话。（10。）五、耶和华的使者（基督）呼召基甸
11Jehovah charged the children of Israel not to fear the gods of the Amorites, but they did not listen to His voice (v. 10). E. The Angel of Jehovah (Christ) Calling Gideon
12十一至二十四节有耶和华的使者（基督）呼召基甸的记载。
12In verses 11 through 24 we have an account of the Angel of Jehovah (Christ) calling Gideon
１ .向他显现
1. Appearing to Him
13十一至十三节告诉我们，耶和华的使者向基甸显现。耶和华的使者来坐在俄弗拉的橡树下，那时基甸正在酒醡那里打麦子，为要防备米甸人。耶和华的使者这样向基甸显现，对他说，『大能的勇士阿，耶和华与你同在。』（12。）
13In verses 11 through 13 we are told that the Angel of Jehovah appeared to Gideon. The Angel of Jehovah came and sat under the terebinth that was in Ophrah while Gideon was beating out the wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. In this way the Angel of Jehovah appeared to Gideon and said to him, “Jehovah is with you, valiant warrior” (v. 12
２ .吩咐他从米甸人手里拯救以色列人
2. Charging Him to Save Israel from the Hand of Midian
14耶和华的使者吩咐基甸，从米甸人手里拯救以色列人。（14～16。）祂转向基甸，说，『你靠著你这力量去从米甸人手里拯救以色列人。不是我差遣你去的吗？』（14。）基甸问他有何能拯救以色列人，耶和华的使者对他说，『我必与你同在，你就击打米甸人，如同击打一人一样。』（16。）
14The Angel of Jehovah charged Gideon to save Israel from the hand of the Midianites (vv. 14-16). He turned to Gideon and said, “Go in this strength of yours, and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” (v. 14). When Gideon asked by what way he could save Israel, the Angel of Jehovah said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one man” (v. 16
３ .藉著接受他的献祭，给他一个证据
3. Performing a Sign for Him by Receiving His Offering
15基甸求耶和华的使者给他一个证据，证实是祂与他说话。（17～。）耶和华的使者藉著接受基甸的献祭，给他一个证据。『耶和华的使者伸出手内的杖，杖头挨了肉和无酵饼，就有火从盘石中出来，烧尽了肉和无酵饼。耶和华的使者也就不见了。』（21。）由于这个证据，基甸就为耶和华筑一座坛，起名叫耶和华沙龙，意『耶和华是平安』；或『平安的耶和华』。（24。）
15Gideon asked the Angel of Jehovah to perform a sign for him that it was He who was speaking with him (vv. 17-24). The Angel of Jehovah performed a sign 24 by receiving Gideon’s offering. “The Angel of Jehovah put forth the end of the staff that was in His hand and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes. And fire came up from the rock and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. And the Angel of Jehovah went from his sight” (v. 21). This sign resulted in Gideon’s building up of an altar to Jehovah, calling it Jehovah- shalom, which means “Jehovah is peace” or “Jehovah of peace” (v. 24).
六 、耶和华吩咐基甸拆毁他父亲的巴力祭坛
F. Jehovah Charging Gideon to Tear Down the Altar of Baal That Belonged to His Father
16耶和华吩咐基甸拆毁他父亲的巴力祭坛，砍下坛旁的亚舍拉，然后在这保障上，整整齐齐的为耶和华他的神筑一座坛。（25～32。）
16Jehovah charged Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal that belonged to his father and to cut down the Asherah that was beside it and then to build an altar to Jehovah his God upon the top of that stronghold in the ordered manner (vv. 25-32).
１ .基甸挑十个人在夜间行这事
1. Gideon Doing It by Ten Men at Night
17基甸因为怕他父家和本城的人，就挑了十个人，不在白昼，乃在夜间行了这事。（27。）２.城里的人为巴力辩护城里的人为巴力辩护。（28～。）他们见巴力的祭坛拆毁，坛旁的亚舍拉砍下，就问这事是谁作的。他们访查之后，推断那是基甸作的；他们就想要杀他。
17Gideon did this by ten men at night and not by day because he was too afraid of his father’sho use and the men of the city (v. 27). 2. The Men of the City Contending for Baal The men of the city contended for Baal (vv. 28-31). When they saw that the altar of Baal had been torn 31 down and that the Asherah beside it had been cut down, they asked who had done this thing. After inquiring and seeking about, they concluded that Gideon had done it, and they desired to kill him.
３ .因为这事，基甸被称为耶路巴力
3. Gideon Being Called Jerubbaal because of This
18因为这事，基甸被称为耶路巴力，意思是『让巴力辩护』。（32。）七、米甸人、亚玛力人、和东方人，
18Because of this Gideon was called Jerubbaal, which means “Let Baal contend” (v. 32). G. All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Children of the East
都聚集一起，在耶斯列谷安营，耶和华的灵披戴在基甸身上
Gathering Together to Encamp in the Valley of Jezreel, and the Spirit of Jehovah Clothing Gideon
19米甸人、亚玛力人、和东方人，都聚集过河，在耶斯列谷安营。（33。）耶和华的灵披戴在基甸身上，他就吹号，招聚亚比以谢族。然后他打发人招聚玛拿西人、亚设人、西布伦人、拿弗他利人，出来与他会合。（34～35。）
19All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the children of the east gathered together, and they crossed over and encamped in the valley of Jezreel (v. 33). The Spirit of Jehovah clothed Gideon, and he blew his trumpet to call the Abiezrites. Then he sent messengers to call the people of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali to come up to meet them (vv. 34-35
八 、基甸向神求神迹，使一团羊毛有水，又使羊毛干了
H. Gideon Asking God for Signs to Water a Fleece of Wool and to Dry It
20照著三十六至四十节，基甸向神求神迹，使一团羊毛有水，又使羊毛干了。首先，基甸说，若只是羊毛上有露水，别的地方都是干的，他就知道耶和华要藉他的手拯救以色列人。次日早晨，只有羊毛上有露水。然后基甸求只有羊毛是干的，别的地方都有露水。这夜神也如此行；只有羊毛上是干的。
20According to verses 36 through 40, Gideon asked God for signs to water a fleece of wool and to dry it. First, Gideon said that if there was dew on the fleece alone and it was dry on the ground, then he would know that Jehovah would save Israel through his hand. The next morning there was dew only on the fleece. Then Gideon asked that it be dry on the fleece only and that there be dew on all the ground. God did so that night, and it was dry on the fleece only
九 、神所拣选的三百人跟随基甸，为以色列击败米甸人
I. The Three Hundred Chosen by God to Follow Gideon to Defeat Midian for Israel
21在七章二至八节上半我们看见，神所拣选的三百人跟随基甸，为以色列击败米甸人。耶和华告诉基甸，跟随他的人过多，耶和华不能将米甸人交在他们手中。神嘱咐基甸宣告，凡惧怕胆怯的，可以离开回去。于是有二万二千人回去。只剩下一万。（2～3。）从这一万人中，只有用手捧著餂水的三百人蒙耶和华拣选。（4～8上。）
21In 7:2-8a we see that three hundred were chosen by God to follow Gideon to defeat Midian for Israel. Jehovah told Gideon that the people who were with him were too many for Jehovah to deliver Midian into their hand. God charged Gideon to proclaim that whoever was afraid and trembling should return and depart. Twenty- two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained (vv. 2-3). Out of the ten thousand, only three hundred who lapped the water into their mouth with their hand were chosen by Jehovah (vv. 4-8a
十 、米甸人被击败
J. The Defeat of Midian
22士师记七章八节下半至二十五节描
22Judges 7:8b-25 describes the defeat of Midian
23述米甸人被击败。
23
24１.藉著基甸在米甸营中
241. By Gideon Hearing the Account of a Dream
听见一个梦
in the Camp of Midian
25照著九至十五节，基甸在米甸营中听见一个梦。一个米甸人将梦告诉同伴说，『我作了一梦，梦见一个大麦饼辊入米甸营中，到了帐幕，将帐幕撞倒，帐幕就翻转倾覆了。』（13。）那同伴说，这不是别的，乃是基甸的刀。神已将米甸和全军，都交在基甸的手中。基甸听见这梦，和梦的讲解，就敬拜神。他回到以色列营中，说，『起来罢，耶和华已将米甸营交在你们手中了。』（15。）
25According to verses 9 through 15, Gideon heard the account of a dream in the camp of Midian. One of the Midianites recounted a dream to his companion, saying, “I have just had a dream. There was this round loaf of barley bread tumbling through the camp of Midian. And it came to the tent and struck it, so that it fell and turned upside down. And the tent collapsed” (v. 13). His companion responded by saying that this was nothing else than the sword of Gideon and that God had delivered Midian and all the camp into Gideon’s hand. When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he worshipped, returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for Jehovah has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand” (v. 15
２ .藉著基甸的三百人分作三队，
2. By the Three Hundred Men of Gideon Divided into Three Companies
26吹号并打破瓶子基甸将三百人分作三队，把号角和空瓶交在各人手里，瓶内都藏著火把。（16。）他们就吹号，打破瓶子，左手拿著火把，右手拿著号角，喊叫说，『有刀为著耶和华，为著基甸！』（19～20。）米甸全营的人都乱窜，又呐喊又逃跑。
26Blowing the Trumpets and Shattering the Pitchers Gideon divided the three hundred men into three companies and put trumpets into their hands, as well as empty pitchers, with torches inside the pitchers (v. 16). They blew the trumpets and shattered the pitchers. Then, holding the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands, they cried out, “A sword for Jehovah and for Gideon!” (vv. 19-20). Then the whole camp of the Midianites ran off, and they shouted and fled
３ .藉著耶和华使各人用刀互相击杀
3. By Jehovah Setting Each Man’sS word against His Companion
27耶和华使全营的人用刀互相击杀。（22。）４.藉著以色列人追赶米甸人从拿弗他利、亚设、玛拿西、和以法莲出来的以色列人追赶米甸人。（23～24。）
27Jehovah set each man’ss word against his companion and against the whole camp (v. 22). 4. By the Men of Israel Pursuing after the Midianites The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, Manasseh, and Ephraim pursued after the Midianites (vv. 23-24).
５ .米甸人的两个首领被杀
5. The Two Princes of Midian Being Slain
28以色列人捉住了米甸人的两个首领，俄立和西伊伯，杀了他们。（25。）
28The children of Israel captured two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and slew them (v. 25
十一 、以法莲人的抱怨和基甸的安抚
K. The Complaint of Ephraim and Gideon’s Pacification
29以法莲人与基甸剧烈争吵，抱怨他去与米甸人争战，没有招他们同去。（八1。）基甸安抚他们，问说，他所行的，岂能比他们所行的吗？并说，神已将米甸人的两个首领，交在他们手中。他们的怒气就消了。（2～3。）
29The men of Ephraim contended sharply with Gideon, complaining that he did not call them when he went to battle against Midian (8:1). Gideon pacified them by asking what he had done to compare with them and saying that it was into their hand that God gave the princes of Midian. Then their hostile spirit toward him subsided (vv. 2-3
十二 、疏割人和毘努伊勒人对基甸的藐视和侮辱
L. The Despising and Insulting of the Men of Succoth and Penuel toward Gideon
30在四至九节和十三至十七节，我们看见疏割人和毘努伊勒人对基甸的藐视和侮辱，以及基甸对疏割人和毘努伊勒人的惩罚。
30In verses 4 through 9 and 13 through 17 we see the despising and insulting of the men of Succoth and Penuel toward Gideon and the punishment of the men of Succoth and Penuel by Gideon
十三 、基甸又追赶米甸军营
M. Gideon Further Pursuing the Midian Camps
31在杀灭十二万人以后，基甸又追赶米甸军营一万五千人，捉住并杀死米甸的二王。（10～12，18～21。）
31After slaying one hundred twenty thousand men, Gideon further pursued the Midian camps of fifteen thousand men and captured and slew the two kings of Midian (vv. 10-12, 18-21
十四 、基甸对待以色列人
N. Gideon’s Dealing with the Men of Israel
32二十二至二十八节说到基甸对待以色列人。
32Verses 22 through 28 speak concerning Gideon’s dealing with the men of Israel
１ .不愿管理他们
1. Not Willing to Rule over Them
33以色列人求基甸管理他们，但他拒绝说，『我不管理你们，我的儿子也不管理你们。惟有耶和华管理你们。』（22～23。）
33The men of Israel asked Gideon to rule over them, but he refused, saying, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. Jehovah will rule over you” (vv. 22-23
２ .求他们将所夺的金子和紫色衣服给他
2. Asking Them for Their Spoils of Gold and Purple Garments
34基甸求他们各人将所夺的金耳环给他，他们就情愿这样作，给了他一千七百舍客勒金子，此外还有月环、耳坠、和紫色衣服。（24～26。）
34Gideon asked that each of them give him an earring of gold from his spoil, and they willingly did so, giving him one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, in addition to crescents, pendants, and purple garments (vv. 24-26
３ .用金子制造一个以弗得，设立在本城
3. Making an Ephod with Gold and Placing It in His City
35基甸用金子制造了一个以弗得，设立在本城俄弗拉。以色列人到那里拜那以弗得，如同淫妇；这就成了基甸和他全家的网罗。（27。）
35Gideon made an ephod with the gold and placed it in his city, in Ophrah. All Israel went as harlots to the ephod there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his house (v. 27).
４ .米甸人被以色列人制伏，
4. Midian Being Subdued by Israel
36以色列地太平四十年米甸人在以色列人面前被制伏；基甸还在的日子，以色列地太平四十年。（28。）
36and the Land of Israel Having Rest Forty Years Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, and the land of Israel had rest forty years in the days of Gideon (v. 28
十五 、基甸的家和他的死
O. Gideon’s Family and His Decease
37十八章总结于基甸的家和他的死。（29～32。）
37Chapter eight concludes with a word regarding Gideon’s family and his decease (vv. 29-32
１ .基甸有七十个儿子，是他从许多妻子生的
1. Gideon Having Seventy Sons by Many Wives
38基甸有七十个儿子，是他从许多妻子生的。他的妾住在示剑，也给他生了一个儿子，名叫亚比米勒。（30～31。）
38Gideon had seventy sons by many wives. He also had another son, by the name of Abimelech, by his concubine in Shechem (vv. 30-31
２ .基甸年纪老迈而死
2. Gideon Dying at a Good Age
39基甸年纪老迈而死，葬在俄弗拉，在他父亲的坟墓里。（32。）
39Gideon died at a good age, and he was buried in the tomb of his father in Ophrah (v. 32