Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-11-27
The SABBATH SCHOOL,.
International Lesson Comments FOi
November &c.
Subject: Gideon and the Three Hundred, Jndg
es viii, l'S, l6'2l- Golden Text Pisa. liS,
3-Memory Verses, ?. 3-Commcn.
tary on The Days Lesson.

es viii, 49, l6'2i Golden Text Pisa. llS,
3-Memory Verses, ?. 3-Comncn.
tary on The Days Lesson.
Gideon the deliverer. Gideon was a man
Of an honorable birth and good character
The angel of the Lord called him, ana af'
ter Gideon satisfied himself that it was
really God calling him he called the people
together and prepared for the battle.
!. "Well OF Harold" Or fountain oil
trembling. Probably the large fountain at
the northern base of Mount Gilboa. 1T Is
a large pool forty or fifty feet in diameter,
and from it flows. down the valley, east
ward, stream strong enough to turn
mill. Hill OF Moreh." Nothing is known
of the hill OF Morch beyond the fact that it
could not be the place mentioned in Gen
II: and Deut II 80.
Q TOO MANY" The object Of this de
lverance from God was not chiefly to save
the farms and crops from the Midianitcs.
but to save the people from their sins and
to teach them to trust and obey God. Iy
the manner in which this whole tranSac
ton was conducted both the l.raelites and
MidianiteS must see that the thing was o
God. This would inspire the Israelites
with confidence and fill their enemies WITH
fear.
3. Fearful and afraid" The army was
subjected to two tests. The first test was
the permission for all who were afraid 10
go home. This bidding the cowardly dc
was commanded even in the law, Deut
90: s. From Mount Gilead." A difficulty
arises here, as the Israe!tcs We're now at
Mount Gilboa on the west of the Jordan
and Mount Gilcad is on the east of the
Jordan. II has been suggested. |. That
the text may be corrupted and that GilCad
should read Glboa. >. That there may
have been another Gicad or the west Of
the Jordan 3, That possibly the text
should read, Whosoever from Mount Gil
cad is fearful and afraid, let him return
home.
q. unto the water" That is. the foun.
from it, will try them" The word try
which occurs here signifies to test by fire.
az the refncr tests silver.
s, 'Lappeth-as a dog" The second
test was for the remaining 10000. Three
hundred did not break rank or stop IN
their march, but dipped their followed
palm into the stream and tossed a little
into their mouth az they stood, Thus it
seems most probable that Gideon was di.
rected to choose those who Tapped as being
men Injured to warfare, who drank while
standing to guard against surprise by the
enemy.
8. upon their knees" Thus they would
be in an exposed position before an enemy
These were sent home.
7. "Bv the 300" Why so small a mum
Der chosen? L. That the lsraeIiteS might
know that the victory WAS from God. >
To show them that the God of their faith.
ers was unchanged and still able to de-
great things for thcm. 2. 7" shame nd
humble His people because OF their past
sins. 4, TO lead the people to love and
worship God
s. "Victua's-trumpets. The 300 men
took what victuals were necessary, to-
gethcr with the trumpets.
OILS. There was danger that even the
stout hearts OF Gideon and his 300 heroes
might quail at their perllouS position, there
fore one more encouragement is given
them Gideon was told Ia take his servant
by night and 60 down to the Mhdlaniti,h
host He did so, and heard dream told
of a barley cake Oyerturnug a Md!nItish
tent, which was interpreted to mean that
the MjdlaniteS were to be delivered into
GIdeon's hand.
lG Unto three companies Great ar
mics were generally divided into three
parts that j., the right wing, the left wing
and the body OF the army. This army was
one division. The MidaniteS had long hecn
a terror to Israel, and now they were to lc
overcome 10y terror
II. And do likewise" Gideon became
the example to all his army. As he was
faithful. so would they he i'll following him
He made his descent in the night, when
his enemies would least expect il. liz
army, being small, would not he observed.
Here is seen the wisdom OF having no more
that are calculated to make success.
49, Middle watch" At midnight An.
GENTLY the Israeltcs seem to have divided
he night into three watches evening
and morning watches. Later they
adopted from the Romans the custom oi
tour watches.
20, Blew the trumpets." There was
perfect concert in their attack. Brake
he pitchers BY Conccalng the lamps in
he pitchers they could pass mob.ervcd
mtrl they reached the guard o. the INDIAN.
tlsh camp and hv breaking them all at
'ncc, AVID letting the light from 300 torches
glare on the sleeping company the enemy
would be greatly terrified. They cried"
Their loud shouts would add to the terror
,'ready awakened ny the sound OF trum.
pets and the glar'nE light. "Ihe sword OF
he Lords name first. fo" by His power
words would nuc courage 70 tLe 400 men
o know that thcy Went out uuder the iii.
,ection Of the great God. and with such n
eader a, Gideon God was gaining this
'ictory, but lie used Gideon and his men
l.. chosen instruments We SEQ ,hrce way.
lere used by Gideon TO territy his enc.
,nisc blowing trumnets and hrcak;ne tGs
'arthen pitcher (3D BY the sudden glare
u light when would be as a streak OF
is''',ne 90 n a%,'.; ''e mose OF tlum