escaped their enemies; for the Midianites made expeditions in
harvest-time, but permitted them to plough the land in winter,
that so, when the others had taken the pains, they might have
fruits for them to carry away. Indeed, there ensued a famine and
a scarcity of food; upon which they betook themselves to their
supplications to God, and besought him to save them.

2. Gideon also, the son of Joash, one of the principal persons of
the tribe of Manasseh, brought his sheaves of corn privately, and
thrashed them at the wine-press; for he was too fearful of their
enemies to thrash them openly in the thrashing-floor. At this
time somewhat appeared to him in the shape of a young man, and
told him that he was a happy man, and beloved of God. To which he
immediately replied, "A mighty indication of God's favor to me,
that I am forced to use this wine-press instead of a
thrashing-floor!" But the appearance exhorted him to be of good
courage, and to make an attempt for the recovery of their
liberty. He answered, that it was impossible for him to recover
it, because the tribe to which he belonged was by no means
numerous; and because he was but young himself, and too
inconsiderable to think of such great actions. But the other
promised him, that God would supply what he was defective in, and
would afford the Israelites victory under his conduct.

3. Now, therefore, as Gideon was relating this to some young men,
they believed him, and immediately there was an army of ten
thousand men got ready for fighting. But God stood by Gideon in
his sleep, and told him that mankind were too fond of themselves,
and were enemies to such as excelled in virtue. Now that they
might not pass God over, but ascribe the victory to him, and