Gideon and the 300
Ilumi Kids · Stories
The people of Israel were very afraid. Their enemies, called the Midianites, kept coming and stealing all their food. So, everyone hid in caves and mountains to protect themselves.
A man named Gideon was also afraid. He was secretly threshing wheat so the enemies wouldn't see him. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared and said something amazing!
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!
The Midianites kept stealing Israel’s food, and Gideon was afraid. An angel called him a "mighty man of valor". God shrank Gideon’s army from thousands to just 300 men, so everyone would know the victory came from him. At night, with trumpets, jars, and torches, they frightened the enemy, who ran away.
Where it is in the Bible: Judges 6—7
God uses the small and the fearful; the victory comes from his strength, not ours.
After reading, use these questions to help your child remember and apply the story.
The people of Israel were very afraid. Their enemies, called the Midianites, kept coming and stealing all their food. So, everyone hid in caves and mountains to protect themselves.
A man named Gideon was also afraid. He was secretly threshing wheat so the enemies wouldn't see him. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared and said something amazing!
Angel of the Lord: The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!
Gideon was surprised and a little unsure. Could he really save his people? So, he asked God for a sign to be sure he was the right person for this mission.
He put a piece of wool on the ground and asked God that in the morning, only the wool would be wet with dew, and the ground would be dry. And that's exactly what happened! God showed Gideon that He was with him in a very special way.
Gideon gathered a huge army, with thousands of soldiers. But God said there were too many people! If they won, they might think it was by their own strength, and not by God's help.
So, God told Gideon to send home everyone who was afraid. Many soldiers left. The army became much smaller, but God still thought it was too big for His plan.
God had one final test to choose the soldiers. He told Gideon to take the remaining men to a river to drink water. Most of them knelt to drink, not paying attention to their surroundings.
But a small group of 300 men scooped up the water with their hands and brought it to their mouths, like little dogs do. They stayed alert and ready for any danger. God said, 'It is with these 300 that I will save you.'
That night, Gideon and his 300 men surrounded the enemy camp. They didn't have swords, but they carried trumpets and torches hidden inside clay jars.
At Gideon's signal, everyone broke their jars at the same time, blew their trumpets very loudly, and lit their torches! The enemies woke up startled by the noise and light, and fled in terror. God gave His people the victory in a surprising way.
They shouted, 'A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!' — Judges 7:20
