128 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

George. Especially when they had been fighting for
their good. What did Gideon do to Zebah and Zalmunna,
grandfather ?

Grandfather. He called them before him, and ques-
tioned them as to the appearance of some men whom
they had slain at mount Tabor, when a former inroad of
the Midianites had driven the people of Israel to dens
and caves. To Gideon’s question the kings replied, “ As
thou art, so were they, each one resembled the children
of aking.” “They were my brethren, even the sons
of my mother,” the conqueror of the Midianites exclaim-
ed. His was the office of avenger of blood, being next
of kin to the persons that were slain. He desired his
eldest son to put the royal murderers to death ; but he,
being very young, shrunk from the task ; so Gideon with
his own hand slew Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of
Midian. The Israelites then asked Gideon to be their
king, “Rule thou over us,” they said, “both thou, and
thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered
us from the hand of Midian.” Now the children of Israel
were under the peculiar government of God ; He provided
rulers for them, and directed them what to do in every
instance. It seemed to Gideon as if they were weary of
submission to the divine authority, when they were so
desirous of having him for aking. “I will not rule over
you,” he said, “neither shall my son rule over you: the
Lord shall rule over you.”

George. But Gideon had taken upon himself to com-
mand the people before that ?