Judges 7:3

Proclaim. The proclamation was a part of the announcement Moses had commanded to be made (Deut. 20:5-9), prior to a battle inviting the fearful to leave the ranks lest their desertion in the midst of battle cause others to flee also. Because his army was so small in comparison with that of the Midianites, Gideon had refrained from making the usual proclamation (PP 549). Many of the men had enlisted because of the stirring appeals of Gideon, but in their hearts they were fearful and unbelieving. Lest they flee when the battle began, or take the glory of victory to themselves, the Lord asked that they be sent back. The two thirds who left constitute a sad commentary on the extent to which idolatry had destroyed Israel’s faith in God.

Gilead. Some have taken this to be a misreading of Gilboa, because Gilead was on the east side of Jordan, far from the scene of this battle. However, there may have been a mountain by this name abutting the Valley of Jezreel. A suggestion of the name may be found in the name of a stream in this area, now known as Nahr el-Jalud.