Introduction
Gideon has been chosen by God to rid Israel of the invading Midianites, and has successfully fulfilled his commission. All that remains is for his unlikely army of just three hundred hand-picked men to capture the Midianites’ top generals, but he does not get much co-operation from his fellow Israelites.
DRIVING the Midianites from Manasseh and other tribes of Israel was weary, hungry work for just three hundred men, and not everyone was appreciative. The Ephraimites complained that although Gideon relied on them to capture some of the Midianite leaders, he had not invited them to join the fight from the start. Gideon’s reply was that Ephraim was already so favoured by God that what he and Manasseh had done was still nothing by comparison, a spot of harmless flattery that went down well.
But the people of Succoth and Penuel were not so easily won over. They were not at all convinced that the Midianites had been defeated, and fearing they might return and revenge themselves on those who had harboured Gideon, they refused to give his men food or shelter until they saw the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna in chains. That wish was soon granted; but now it was Gideon’s turn to be angry with those who had let him down.
Précis
As Gideon was driving the Midianites headlong from Israel, some Israelites were wary of publicly backing him in case the Midianites returned. Gideon did not forget that; and after completing his victory, rounding up the Midianite leaders and executing them, he took merciless revenge on those in Israel who had failed him. (52 / 60 words)
As Gideon was driving the Midianites headlong from Israel, some Israelites were wary of publicly backing him in case the Midianites returned. Gideon did not forget that; and after completing his victory, rounding up the Midianite leaders and executing them, he took merciless revenge on those in Israel who had failed him.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, besides, must, or, unless, whereas, whether.
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
The tribe of Ephtaim was upset. Gideon drove the Midianites from Israel. He did not ask for Ephraim’s help.