And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
Judges 8:23 belongs to the account of a deliverer raised up to rescue Israel. The people offered Gideon kingship for himself with hereditary succession for his son and his descendants, which he refused. He declared that neither he nor his son would rule, but the Lord would rule Israel, for God was Israel's rightful king. His answer reflected humility and his recognition that the right to appoint Israel's ruler belonged to God. Though he had willingly risked his life to deliver Israel, he would not accept an honor that belonged to God.
His answer expressed the principle that placing a human king over Israel would reject its divine Sovereign. His refusal stands in contrast to his later use of his popularity to set up a worship system of his own without waiting for God's approval. After such a deliverer died and the people were no longer under his authority, they gradually returned to idolatry.
Judges 8:23 belongs to the account of a deliverer raised up to rescue Israel. The people offered Gideon kingship for himself with hereditary succession for his son and his descendants, which he refused. He declared that neither he nor his son would rule, but the Lord would rule Israel, for God was Israel's rightful king. His answer reflected humility and his recognition that the right to appoint Israel's ruler belonged to God. Though he had willingly risked his life to deliver Israel, he would not accept an honor that belonged to God.
His answer expressed the principle that placing a human king over Israel would reject its divine Sovereign. His refusal stands in contrast to his later use of his popularity to set up a worship system of his own without waiting for God's approval. After such a deliverer died and the people were no longer under his authority, they gradually returned to idolatry.