Gideon was the greatest of the judges but the last chapter of his life is regrettable. On the heels of his momentous conquest of the Midianites, Israel begged Gideon, “Rule over us, you as well as your sons and your grandsons (8: 22). Though he wisely declined their appeal, Gideon appears to be puffed up with pride and requests a gold earring from each of them. With their gift and other Midianite plunder Gideon made an ephod…and put it in Ophrah, his hometown (8: 27). There all Israel prostituted themselves…and it became a snare to Gideon and his household (8: 27). Gideon died committing spiritual sin. He led the people in inappropriate worship.
Gideon died in sexual sin also. Gideon had 70 sons, his own offspring, since he had many wives. His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son (8: 30 – 31). Like a king, Gideon multiplied his wives (Deut. 17: 17). The people wanted him to rule them but Gideon could not even rule himself. Gideon had one great military conquest but many sexual conquests or should we say he was often conquered by sex. He could conquer the enemy without but was bested by the enemy within. Like most of us Gideon did not fall to others but to himself. His sexual escapades haunted Israel even after his death. Abimelech, the son of one of his slaves (8: 31; 9: 18), opted for the power Gideon refused. He became king. His short-lived kingship was a nightmarish time for the hurting nation.
The sins of late life have a way of resurfacing in the next generation. Not everyone remembers the victories of our youth but they do often remember the defeat of our old age. Sadly, many a saint has largely muted the testimony of a well lived life by sinful choices at the end of life. Gideon really is a picture of how not to die.