126 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb, whom
they killed, and sent their heads to Gideon. The names
of these princes are curious: Oreb means a crow, and
Zeeb a wolf. Some think that they were names given to
them in ridicule by the Israelites ; but we cannot be
sure of that, and it is of no importance. Instead of con-
gratulating Gideon upon his success, and thanking him
for the great service he had rendered to them in common
with the rest of his brethren, the Ephraimites found
great fault with him for not asking them to assist
him against the Midianites. Ephraim was jealous
of his brother Manasseh. Gideon might have told them
that he acted only by the command of God, so he could
not be accountable to them; or he might have told them
that they ought to have come forward voluntarily if they
were willing to oppose the Midianites. But he said
none of these things to them, lest he might aggravate
their anger, and cause divisions in Israel: he spoke
modestly of what he himself had done, and highly com-
mended that which God had enabled the Ephraimites to
do. “God hath delivered into your hands the princes
of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was [ able to do in
comparison of you?” When he had said this, the anger
of the men of Ephraim abated. We learn from this -
that even when we are unjustly blamed we ought to
give a mild reply.
George. But it would be impossible to do that, grand-
father; Gideon was a very uncommon man.
Grandfather. It is not easy, I grant, to imitate Gideon’s