Judges 8:22-24

Expanded Bible

Gideon Makes an Idol

²² The people of Israel said to Gideon, “You ·saved [rescued; ^Tdelivered] us from the Midianites. Now, we want you and your son and your grandson to rule over us [^Cto establish a royal dynasty].”

²³ But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will be your ruler.” ²⁴ He said, “I want you to do this one thing for me. I want each of you to give me a gold earring from ·the things you took in the fighting [^Lhis plunder].” (The Ishmaelites [^Crelated to the Midianites, and sometimes identified with them; Gen. 37:25–28] wore gold earrings.)