Judges 8:2
And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer? And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?
The saying belongs to the deliverance from Midianite oppression, which came in the repeated cycle of wrongdoing followed by oppression, then confession followed by rescue, when God raised up a helper as the people heeded reproof and confessed their sins. The gleaning of the grapes is Ephraim's later share in the battle, gathering what was left behind and capturing the Midianite princes, while the vintage is the earlier and fuller effort of Abiezer, Gideon's own clan, including what he accomplished with his three hundred men in defeating the Midianite host. By asking whether the gleaning was not better than the vintage, Gideon declares Ephraim's achievement greater than his own. He makes his own victory seem small beside theirs, giving Ephraim credit and honor for completing the victory instead of claiming honor for himself.
He gives this answer with humility, tact, courtesy and praise rather than resentment or provocation. It is made in response to Ephraim's angry complaint, reproach and jealousy over not being called earlier to the fight. The conciliatory reply calms, soothes and appeases their anger and prevents strife, quarrel and conflict. The modest reply turns attention away from personal honor. It reflects the conviction that the honor for the victory belonged to God and the victory itself was God's gift, directing the glory to God.