Judges 8:14

*“He captured a youth from Succoth and questioned him. Then the youth wrote down for him the princes of Succoth and its elders, seventy-seven men.” (v.14)*

In this verse, Gideon—who served as a judge in Israel around the 12th century BC—pursues the Midianite kings to liberate Israel from their oppression. He arrives at the city of Succoth seeking support, but he finds resistance and indifference from its leaders. Consequently, Gideon seizes a local youth, interrogates him for information, and obtains a written list of the city’s princes and elders, numbering seventy-seven. This underscores the reality that Gideon’s campaign was not only about routing the Midianites, but also about confronting Israelites who had failed to help their own brethren, a theme that reveals how the deliverance of God’s people required both external and internal resolution. Gideon’s story as a “skittish” or apprehensive leader whom God nevertheless empowered demonstrates that human weakness and fear do not hinder the Almighty from working through anyone willing to act in faith (Judges 6:11–16). citeturn0file12

Succoth was located east of the Jordan River. Historically, it had been a place of settlement by the tribe of Gad and was known for its farmland and for being part of Israel’s Transjordan region. In Gideon’s day, though, Succoth’s inhabitants did not cooperate when Gideon’s volunteer army was in urgent need, withholding supplies out of doubt or fear. By capturing and questioning the youth, Gideon exposes the leadership who refused to show solidarity with the divine mission to rescue Israel, and later he holds them accountable. This episode displays how a lack of unity among God’s people can be as great a threat as an external enemy, a lesson that remains relevant whenever believers fail to come together and support God-honoring causes.

Furthermore, this narrative highlights a principle seen throughout Scripture: God often uses surprising measures to accomplish deliverance. Gideon began as an unlikely hero, threshing wheat hidden away from raiders (Judges 6:11), yet was called by God to lead the Israelites against the oppressive Midianites (Judges 6:14). He proceeds step by step in obedience, and his victory requires not just courage against outsiders but also resolve in dealing with compromised leadership among his own people. Though biblical accounts frequently show God’s power on display against overwhelming odds, Gideon’s handling of the youth from Succoth reminds us that addressing internal disobedience or apathy is also essential when fulfilling God’s purposes.

One-sentence summary: Gideon secures crucial information from a youth of Succoth to identify the seventy-seven resistant leaders, demonstrating the need for internal unity and accountability among God’s people as part of His deliverance plan.