Gideon refuses dynasty but makes an ephod

Israel offers Gideon a dynasty; he says the LORD shall rule

The men of Israel say to Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. Gideon answers, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

The sentence is theologically right. The next verses test whether the refusal reaches his hands.

Gold is collected, and the ephod at Ophrah becomes a snare

He asks for the earrings of Ishmael's spoil. They spread a garment, and every man casts in. The weight of the golden earrings is a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, beside ornaments, collars, and purple raiment, and chains from the camels. Gideon makes an ephod thereof and puts it in his city, even in Ophrah. All Israel go thither a whoring after it, which thing becomes a snare unto Gideon and to his house.

An ephod is a priestly or cultic object. The narrator does not state Gideon's intention: memorial, oracle, prestige, or idol. The narrator does judge the outcome. Covenant infidelity language here must not become sexualized shaming. Midian is subdued, and the country is in quietness forty years in Gideon's days. Rest and a snare occupy the same settlement. Verbal refusal of kingship does not cancel royal-like gold, a household cult center, or the trap being prepared for Abimelech. Divine kingship does not authorize unaccountable human leaders, and a harmful ephod does not make all religious art idolatry.