Judges 8:24 Explained in Context

Verse 22. ²² Then the men of Israel said unto 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.

Verse 23. ²³ And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

Verse 24. ²⁴ And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

Verse 25. ²⁵ And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

Verse 26. ²⁶ And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

Verse 27. ²⁷ And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.

Verse 28. ²⁸ Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.