The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 8

Prints on letter paper in black and white. No answers are printed on the student sheet.

Judges 8 · Grade 5

Saying God Is King

Name Date

Read and Think

Gideon's victory brought new tests. First, Ephraim quarreled with him for not calling them to the battle. Gideon could have answered with pride; instead he honored them, asking whether the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim was not better than the vintage of Abiezer, his own clan. Their anger was calmed.

Pursuing the kings of Midian across the Jordan, Gideon's exhausted men asked for bread. The officials of Succoth and Penuel mocked them, as if the kings were already captured. Gideon defeated the remaining army, captured Zebah and Zalmunna, and carried out his warnings against both towns. Learning that the kings had killed his brothers at Tabor, he put them to death.

Israel then offered Gideon a family dynasty. His answer was right: I will not rule over you; Yahweh shall rule over you. Yet Gideon asked for gold earrings from the spoil, about seventeen hundred shekels, and made an ephod in Ophrah. Israel turned it into an object of worship, and it became a snare to his house. After Gideon's death, Israel made Baal Berith their god, forgot Yahweh who had delivered them, and did not show kindness to Gideon's family.

Show What You Know

  1. How did Gideon answer Ephraim?

  2. Why did Succoth and Penuel mock Gideon's men?

  3. Why did Gideon put Zebah and Zalmunna to death?

  4. How much gold did Gideon collect?

  5. What did Israel do after Gideon died?

Crossword

1243

Across

  1. The ephod became this to Gideon's house
  2. The tribe Gideon answered gently

Down

  1. A town that would not give bread
  2. Gideon made one from gold earrings
  3. Yahweh shall ____ over you

Think About It

  1. Gideon rejected a crown but kept a golden ephod. What good things can become snares if we put them in God's place?

  2. Israel forgot the God who delivered them. What helps you remember God's past help when life is easy?

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)

Copy It

Prayer

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

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What does it mean to let God rule your life?
  • Where might something good be turning into a snare for you?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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.