After the death of Gideon "the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side: neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel." Forgetful of all that they owed to Gideon, their judge and deliverer, the people of Israel accepted his baseborn son Abimelech as their 557 king, who, to sustain his power, murdered all but one of Gideon's lawful children. When men cast off the fear of God they are not long in departing from honor and integrity. An appreciation of the Lord's mercy will lead to an appreciation of those who, like Gideon, have been employed as instruments to bless His people. The cruel course of Israel toward the house of Gideon was what might be expected from a people who manifested so great ingratitude to God.

Efter Gideons død kom israelitterne ikke "Herren deres Gud i hu, ham, som frelste dem fra alle deres fjender, der omgav dem på alle kanter. Og de handlede ikke vel mod Jerubbaals, Gideons, hus trods alt det gode, han havde gjort Israel." Israel glemte alt, hvad de skyldte Gideon, som var deres dommer og befrier, og kårede hans illegitime søn Abimelek til konge. Denne myrdede alle Gideons legitime børn på nær eet for at styrke sin magt. Når mennesker først kaster deres gudsfrygt over bord, varer det ikke længe, før de lader hånt om ære og retskaffenhed. Når de på den anden side påskønner Herrens nåde, vil de også sætte pris på de mennesker, der ligesom Gideon er blevet benyttet som Guds redskaber til at velsigne hans folk. Den grusomhed, Israel viste over for Gideons hus, var kun, hvad man kunne vente af et folk, der var så utaknemmelig over for Gud.