1. The men of Ephraim spoke to Gideon. They asked, "Why have you treated us like this? Why didn't you ask us to help you when you went out to fight against Midian?" They spoke very sharply against Gideon.
2. But he answered them, "What I've done isn't anything compared to what you have done. After Ephraim's grapes have been gathered, isn't what is left over better than all of the grapes that have been gathered from Abiezer's vines?
3. God handed Oreb and Zeeb over to you. They were Midianite leaders. So what was I able to do compared to what you did?" After Gideon had said that, they didn't feel angry with him anymore.
4. Gideon and his 300 men were very tired. But they kept on chasing their enemies. They came to the Jordan River and went across it.
5. Gideon spoke to the men of Succoth. He said, "Give my troops some bread. They are worn out. And I'm still chasing Zebah and Zalmunna. They are the kings of Midian."
6. But the officials of Succoth objected. They said, "Have you already killed Zebah and Zalmunna? Have you cut their hands off and brought them back to prove it? If you haven't, why should we give bread to your troops?"
7. Gideon replied, "The Lord will hand Zebah and Zalmunna over to me. When he does, I'll tear your skin with thorns from desert bushes."
8. From there Gideon went up to Peniel. He asked its men for the same thing. But they answered as the men of Succoth had.