Judges 8

After the victory, the men of Ephraim angrily confront Gideon, demanding to know why they were not called to fight the Midianites earlier. Gideon skillfully appeases them with flattery. He then pursues the two remaining Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, capturing and executing them for the murders they committed. The men of Israel offer to make Gideon their king, but Gideon wisely refuses, declaring, "The Lord shall rule over you." However, he makes a disastrous error by creating a golden ephod (a cultic image) from the spoils, which becomes a snare to his family and all Israel.