Their prayers were heard, and again the Lord sent forth the man of his choice to act as deliverer for Israel. The one thus selected was Gideon, of the tribe of Manasseh. The Midianites had swept like a devouring plague over the land. It was only with the greatest difficulty that the Hebrews could secrete sufficient food to save them from actual starvation. Gideon had, however, retained possession of a small quantity of wheat, and fearing to beat it out in the threshing floor, he had taken it to the vineyard, near the wine-press. The time of ripe grapes being far off, the attention of the Midianites would not be directed to that place.

Deres bønner blev hørt, og Herren udsendte en mand der var blevet som han har valgt til at handle som Israels udfrier. Den som var udvalgt var Gideon, af Manassas stamme. Midianitterne havde fejet som en fortærende plager over landet. Det var kun under de største vanskeligheder at hebræerne kunne skjule mad nok til at redde dem fra forestående hungersnød. Gideon havde dog, bibeholdt en mindre del hvede, og frygtede at slå det på tærskepladsen, så han havde taget til vingården, nær vinpersen. Da der var længe til vindruernes høst, ville midianitterne ikke være opmærksom på det sted.