Judges 8:3
God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that. God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
God raised up Gideon as a faithful and valiant leader to rescue Israel from Midian, and this deliverance was one instance of the repeated cycle of backsliding, chastisement, confession, and rescue. He spoke these words in answer when the Ephraimites reproached him in anger and envy. Instead of defending his own victory, he answered with humility, meekness, and self-control, modestly praising their capture of Oreb and Zeeb and counting his own achievement small beside theirs.
He credited God with delivering the Midianite princes into their hands, making clear that the glory for the triumph belonged to the Lord. In doing so he showed that he did not seek personal honor, in contrast to the Ephraimites, who wanted honor for themselves and failed to recognize God's hand in Israel's triumph. His courteous and gentle reply abated and calmed their anger, keeping jealousy from growing into division, discord, and conflict. The episode thus illustrates the principle that a soft, gentle answer turns away wrath.