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Judges 8 · Grade 4

A Good Answer and a Bad Choice

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Read and Think

When Ephraim angrily asked why Gideon had not called them sooner, Gideon answered with humility. He said their capture of the Midianite princes was greater than his own work. A gentle answer turned their anger away.

Gideon and his three hundred crossed the Jordan, faint yet pursuing. The leaders of Succoth and Penuel refused to feed them, doubting Gideon would win. Gideon captured Zebah and Zalmunna, punished the two towns as he had warned, and put the kings to death.

The men of Israel begged Gideon to rule over them. He refused, saying Yahweh would rule over them. But then he collected gold earrings from the spoil and made an ephod in Ophrah. All Israel worshiped it, and it became a snare to Gideon's family. When Gideon died, Israel turned to Baal Berith and showed no kindness to his family.

Show What You Know

  1. How did Gideon turn away Ephraim's anger?

  2. Why did Succoth and Penuel refuse bread?

  3. Why did Gideon refuse to rule?

  4. What happened to the ephod?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

ruleEphraimkingsSuccothephod
  1. When angrily asked why Gideon had not called them sooner, Gideon answered with humility.
  2. The leaders of and Penuel refused to feed them, doubting Gideon would win.
  3. Gideon captured Zebah and Zalmunna, punished the two towns as he had warned, and put the to death.
  4. The men of Israel begged Gideon to over them.
  5. But then he collected gold earrings from the spoil and made an in Ophrah.

Think About It

  1. Gideon gave a gentle answer to angry people. When could a gentle answer help at your house?

  2. Gideon said the right words but then made an ephod. Why is it possible to say good things about God and still make bad choices?

Memory Verse

Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. Yahweh shall rule over you.”

Judges 8:23 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my King. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Why do you think Gideon's men kept going while faint?
  • How can a leader say no to power?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.